5 Tips to Prep Your Homes Plumbing for Maximum Summer Fun

Summer is around the corner, and that equals barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July entertainment and other outdoor gatherings are likely part of your seasonal plans. But before you nail down the summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is prepared for higher use.

A plumbing emergency while having guests is an annoyance that will surely impact your summer groove. So, the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, the nation’s trusted name for plumbing, heating and cooling repairs and maintenance, has offered some worthwhile plumbing maintenance tips. Try them now to better assure your summer satisfaction will be as relaxing as planned.

1. Examine your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems

Coming out of winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to overlook the plumbing surrounding the outside of your home. But it’s genuinely an easy place to start your plumbing maintenance and review. Worn sprinkler heads will have to be replaced, as they’ll soon be depended on more heavily to keep your grass green and your kids cool as they happily dash through them for a weekend refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be evaluated for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outside hose spigot leaks might be obvious to recognize yourself, a professional can lead you to ones that can occur on the inside of the wall, too.

2. Clean and unclog bathroom and kitchen drains, examine fixtures

Kitchens and bathrooms are your most expected rooms for a plumbing crisis. You can initiate your review by clearing away all items under sinks to inspect drain pipes and the bottom of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets might provide clues as well. Mildew, warped wood and old drip spots are indicators of leaks from either drain pipes or fixtures. Fill sinks with water and observe how quickly the drain functions. All clogs and leaks should be addressed straight away by a professional, and you won’t want to count on liquid agents as a long-term treatment for clogs either.

“We strongly discourage homeowners from tackling drain problems with a liquid agent. They may address the clog, but they may also damage plastic or metal pipes,” said BJ Richardson of Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. “A professional can clean out all your drains, fix a bad one and bring peace of mind with a warranty.”

3. Don’t forget your sump pump

Summer produces mild weather but also significant rain in several places of the country. Those rains might produce floods in basements if your sump pump is not ready. A properly functioning system minimizes the potential for mold and water damage that can appear even from slight soil seepage at all times of year. The pump should be professionally reviewed, debris cleaned away, the power cord checked, and most important, water put in to the pit to watch how quickly it responds. If it quits or reacts slowly, it might need to be fixed.

4. Resolve toilet leaks

Your water bill will be grateful for this task the most. A couple of quick inspections by a certified service professional might save you water and help you avert a costly repair. Toilets usually leak near the flapper within the tank, which can wear out over time. A professional can also easily check other parts in the tank and around the whole toilet as well. The parts within the tank, in particular, are quite affordable; so, if hoses or washers appear worn or the fill valve sounds slow, all these components can be replaced by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And remember, putting off even the smallest toilet repair today will only lead to more substantial, more expensive issues in the future.

5. It’s a great time to empty the water heater

Even though a water heater problem may not feel like it’s as unpleasant in the summer as it can be in colder months, it’s a hassle nonetheless. If you haven’t drained your water heater this year, you’ll want to handle it before the summertime fun begins and showers are in high demand by guests. Water heaters collect minerals and other debris at the tank’s base, which can result in corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A qualified plumber can complete this simple task for you while also addressing other maintenance services.

“A lot of these inspections may seem like common sense, but they can easily go overlooked when our lives get busy,” Richardson added. “You can schedule a certified professional to inspect all of your plumbing systems today. That way you can confidently plan your summer fun without the worry of unexpected surprises.”

Eager to request a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing technician to help get your home ready for optimum summertime fun? You can also stop by our website today for more info about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.

Disclaimer: Source: GET Creative, a division of USA TODAY