Summer is on the horizon, and that equals barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July excitement and other outdoor gatherings are likely part of your seasonal plans. But before you finalize a summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is ready for high use.
A plumbing emergency while hosting guests is a headache that will undoubtedly impact your summer groove. So, the team at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, the nation’s trusted name for plumbing, heating and cooling repairs and maintenance, has offered some helpful plumbing maintenance tips. Tackle them now to better assure your summer fun will be as enjoyable as intended.
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 actually the ideal place to start your plumbing maintenance and review. Broken sprinkler heads will have to be replaced, as they’ll soon be depended on more often to keep your grass green and your kids cool as they repeatedly splash through them for a weekend refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be examined for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outside hose spigot leaks can be obvious to notice yourself, a professional can warn you of ones that may occur on the interior of the wall, too.
2. Clean and unclog bathroom and kitchen drains, examine fixtures
Kitchens and bathrooms are your most expected areas for a plumbing catastrophe. You can begin your inspection by clearing away all items underneath sinks to check drain pipes and the bottom of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets may leave 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 monitor how easily the drain functions. All clogs and leaks should be resolved promptly by a professional, and you won’t want to depend on liquid agents as a long-term answer 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. “A professional can clean out all your drains, fix a bad one and bring peace of mind with a warranty.”
3. Don’t ignore your sump pump
Summer provides mild weather but also substantial rain in several regions of the country. Those rains can produce floods in basements if your sump pump is unprepared. A properly functioning system decreases the potential for mold and water problems that can occur even from minimal soil seepage throughout the year. The pump should be professionally inspected, debris cleared, the power cord reviewed, and most important, water added to the pit to observe how easily it responds. If it quits or responds slowly, it may have to be serviced.
4. Resolve toilet leaks
Your water bill might be grateful for this project the most. A couple of basic inspections by a qualified service professional can save you water and help you avert a costly repair. Toilets usually leak nearby the flapper inside the tank, which tends to break down over time. A pro can also quickly review other parts inside the tank and surrounding the whole toilet as well. The components inside the tank, in particular, are very inexpensive; so, if hoses or washers feel worn or the fill valve sounds slow, all these components can be swapped out by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And remember, putting off even the smallest toilet repair today will only become more substantial, more expensive complications in the future.
5. It’s a great opportunity to flush the water heater
Even though a water heater failure may not feel like it’s as bad in the summer as it could be in colder months, it’s a hassle all the same. If you haven’t flushed out your water heater this year, you’ll want to handle it before the summertime fun starts and showers are in high demand by guests. Water heaters amass minerals and grime at the tank’s base, which can lead to corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A certified plumber can complete this simple task for you while also taking care of other maintenance tasks.
“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.”
Ready to arrange a Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning technician to help get your home ready for maximum summertime fun? You can also stop by our website today to learn about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.
Disclaimer: Source: GET Creative, a division of USA TODAY