When summer comes, the use of your home’s plumbing system changes. Your hot water heater isn’t working nearly as hard, your sprinkler system is fired up, the kids are home using your toilets more often than during the school year, and much else changes from May through September.
To ensure your home’s plumbing operates at its peak potential through the summer months, follow these summer plumbing maintenance tips.
Check Your Sprinkler System
Sprinkler systems are primed for leaks, especially after going dormant through the winter. This is especially true because sprinkler systems often run late at night or early in the morning when you don’t see them in action. Make sure you do a test run with your sprinklers. Look for heads that may be leaking or pointing toward your home’s windows — which can also lead to leaks.
Care for Your Toilets
With the kids at home, those toilets may be flushing more often than usual. Make sure young kids are aware of the optimal amount of toilet paper to use, as overuse of toilet paper is the leading cause of clogged toilets. Also, make sure you have a flange-type plunger on hand for clogs.
Examine Washer Hoses
Summer is a time of activity, which can lead to larger piles of laundry to take care of. Make sure your washing machine is fully prepared to handle the increase in loads. Check the hoses first. Are they cracked, bulging or leaking? If your washing machine uses rubber hoses, this is a particular concern.
Plant Carefully
Are you planning to add trees or significant shrubs, bushes and plants to your yard? Be sure to check where your water and gas lines are before planting. Naturally, you wouldn’t want to break a line while digging. But it’s also important that you take into consideration your plant or tree roots. These roots can grow in time and begin to infringe on lines, which leads to leaks.
Turn Off for Vacation
Are you heading out on vacation? Make sure you're not paying for things you won't be using while you're gone — hot water, for example. Turn down your water heater before leaving town and consider asking someone to check on your home while you're gone for extended periods of time. You wouldn't want a leak to go unnoticed while you're away.
Call on Mr. Rooter of Oneida
It’s always a good idea to have your home’s plumbing systems inspected by a professional from time to time. The changing of seasons can lead to changes in the way you use home systems like plumbing, so these moments make for perfect times to get preventative maintenance done.
If you could use a professional to examine your home’s plumbing, trust the experience, knowledge and quality customer service you’ll find at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Oneida. Contact us today for preventative home plumbing maintenance this summer.