With all the recent sunshine, and with June fast approaching, summer no longer seems like such a distant prospect. The transition from spring to summer is, of course, exciting, but it’s also the time to get ahead of potential problems. While plumbing issues may not be the first that come to mind when we think of potential problems for homeowners during the summer, the warmer months can actually be a prime time for unique plumbing trouble.
So here’s a list of some things to look out for…
1. Clogged Waste Disposals
Summer time means lots of laid back al fresco dining and BBQs, but try not to become too laid back when disposing of your waste food. Be wary of pouring cooking oils and dirty grease down the drain or into garbage disposal systems, as this can cause serious clotting. Hard fruits and vegetables can also lead to stubborn clogs, and are damaging to garbage disposal blades. Since most systems are not equipped to handle BBQ favourites like cornhusks, banana peels and other fibrous food, you may want to consider a compost system as a way of avoiding such problems. It is also a good idea to run cold water through your disposal for a 15 seconds before and after usage to make sure the system is really clear.
2. Over-worked Washing Machines
More gallivanting outdoors means more washing, especially if you have children that are out of school. Days spent at the beach, swimming, cycling or tree climbing means that your washing machine may be in for a workout. For this reason, you should take extra care to check for faults. Make sure there are no bulges, leaks and cracks in your washing machine hose. Kinking and other damages can be prevented by moving your machine out from the wall a little, and ensuring that the hose has been replaced within the last three years.
3. Sewer Line Back-ups
Despite high hopes, summer rain showers and thunderstorms are often inevitable, especially as the air heats up in the afternoon. Excessive rain can get into sewer pipes through cracks and cause the sewer line to back up. Moreover, humid weather can cause your ductwork to sweat and create condensation which can cause a backup if the drains are not clear. A further cause of line backup and cracked piping can be when tree roots have spread underground during the spring. The most obvious sign of sewer line trouble is water from the toilet backing up into the bathtub drain. If this occurs, call a qualified plumber right away as a line replacement may be necessary.
Top Tips!
- Save money and energy whilst on vacation by turning down the temperature of your water heater.
- Don’t set your water heater higher than 120ºF when at home in order to reduce energy use
- Whether there’s a drought warning or not, be economical with your water usage and avoid being
wasteful - Don’t leave it until the last minute – if you notice a problem, call a professional straight away!