Summer Plumbing Tips: 10 Easy Ways to Prevent Plumbing Issues

When summer arrives, homeowners depend on water to keep their lawns green, fill their pools and provide them with ice-cold drinks. Plumbing problems can bring your day to a halt and have consequences that can last for years.

Don’t put off professional plumbing service until it’s too late!

These summer plumbing tips from Pride Plumbing Services,  Long Beach’s trusted plumbers, can keep your water bill low. They can also help you prevent water damage and keep your plumbing strong throughout the season.

Tip 1: Check for Leaks as the Weather Warms Up

Warm temperatures cause the metal in copper pipes to expand and strain o-ring seals. Damage to pipes or connectors can cause leaks and water damage. To detect leaks, go from room to room and look at the plumbing fixtures, plus the walls and floors around them.

Warped wooden cabinets and hardwood floors are major signs of water damage. Check for rotting plaster, mold buildup, peeling paint, or damp walls. If severe water damage occurs, the floor can become uneven.

Call a professional plumber if you spot any signs of leaks.

Tip 2: Keep an Eye on Your Water Pressure

Low water pressure can be a sign of a leak. The water pressure in your house should be about 40 pounds per square inch (psi), although some homes have pressures up to 60 psi.

If you have low water pressure throughout your home, call your utility company to find out if there is a problem with the water mains. If low water pressure affects only one fixture, it could be a sign of a leak in the pipes that lead to that fixture.

High water pressure can damage pipes, leading to blowouts. If your pressure is high, call a licensed, professional plumber to check your plumbing. They can determine the reason for your high water pressure.

Tip 3: Be Able to Shut Off Your Water Supply If You Have To

If a water leak is costing you money and threatening your summer plans, the first thing to do is shut off the water supply. Your home should have an accessible valve that you can turn to prevent water from getting into your home.

Sinks and other fixtures often have valves you can use to cut the water off to a single faucet or showerhead. That way, you can repair it without having to get wet. Keep in mind that pipes and hoses could contain water even after you shut off the main water supply.

Be careful when removing pipes. Contact a professional plumber before attempting a do-it-yourself fix.

Tip 4: Be Sure Your Water Heater Is Working Properly

Heating is probably the last thing on your mind during the summer. However, you still need hot water for your showers, baths, washing machine, and dishwasher. Inspect your heater for cracks, water damage to the surrounding floor, or evidence of corrosion.

Make sure your pilot light is on. Furthermore, check that the hot water coming from the tap is hot but not scalding.

Listen for any knocking or buzzing sounds coming from your water heater. The noises could be signs of problems that could reduce your heater’s efficiency.

Tip 5: Keep Grease Away from Your Pipes

Cookouts, family gatherings, and dinners can produce a large amount of grease. When cooking meats, collect the fat that remains in the pan. Don’t let grease go down the drain, as it can clog your drain or grow into a “fatberg” in your local sewer system.

Let any grease, animal fat, or other animal products congeal. Then, dispose of them according to your local government’s rules for waste disposal.

Tip 6: Avoid Using Corrosive Cleaners on Pipes

If you get a clog, try to remove it with a snake or an auger. Avoid using commercial drain cleaners. While these cleaning agents might clear the clog, they will also eat away at your pipes and eventually cause serious leaks.

Tip 7: Watch for Toilet Problems

During the summer, you might have many guests in and out of your home. That extra usage could cause wear on your toilet mechanism, leading to problems such as:

●  Water leaking around the base of the toilet

●  A toilet that always seems to be filling up but never quite finishes

●  Increased water bills

●  Clogs and slow draining of the toilet bowl

Your family and houseguests depend on proper toilet function. So, check each of your toilets. Don’t forget the toilets in any guest bathrooms before the summer season gets into full swing.

Tip 8: Don’t Let the Outer Drain Get Clogged

Debris and other obstructions could prevent wastewater from leaving your home and entering the sewer system. A blockage could let dirty water back up into your sinks and toilets. Professional plumbers use advanced technology, such as video inspection, to identify leak sources and patch them as efficiently as possible.

Hair can cause drain line clogs. Brush your hair to remove stray hairs before showering. Take pets outside to clean them off whenever possible.  Use drain covers that prevent hair from going down the drain.

Tip 9: Prepare Your Home If You Are Traveling

Summer is often the best time for vacations. If enjoying a summer getaway, take care of your plumbing before you leave as follows:

●  Shut off the water supply to prevent leaks

●  Turn off your water heater or set it to vacation mode

●  Be sure your gutters are clean

●  If you have an automatic sprinkler system, make sure that it is not leaking

Tip 10: Call a Licensed Plumber if Problems Arise

One of the most valuable summer plumbing tips is not to try to tackle a complex project on your own. Some general tips, like checking for leaks or conserving water, are practical tasks homeowners can take care of themselves, but others require specialized expertise.

If plumbing is damaged and leaks have gotten out of hand, it can be dangerous and expensive to try to fix these projects yourself. A plumbing job gone wrong can cause problems such as:

●  Overlooking hidden leaks that damage walls, cabinets, and floors.

●  Expensive repairs if the do-it-yourself fix fails to do the job

●  Respiratory problems from dust, mold, and cleaning solutions

●  Risk of electric shock if leaks damage parts of the electrical system

●  Liability if someone sustains an injury during the repair

●  Unwitting violations of the building code

If you encounter an unfamiliar plumbing problem or one requiring advanced equipment, call a professional plumber. Research the plumbing company’s reputation and its track record in the local community. Lastly, verify their license and insurance.

Even if you have plumbing experience, a licensed and insured plumber saves you time and the hassle of finding necessary supplies. They are also familiar with local building codes. Calling a plumber can prove a sound investment that will pay off this summer and for many summers to come.

Professional Plumbing from Pride Plumbing Services

Pride Plumbing Services can tackle just about any plumbing challenge you have. We’ll check for leaks and ensure your plumbing system is in good working order. In the end, we’ll help you save money on utilities by having more efficient plumbing.

We also fix a variety of heating systems. Let us know if you have water leaking from the boiler or if your radiator is faulty. Call us at (516) 916-6894 for more summer plumbing tips or to get help with your plumbing problem.

Published: Jun 06, 2022