Summer has been full of outside fun and busy schedules full of extracurricular activities. If you had kids home this summer, you likely chose to forgo a lot of your routine maintenance household tasks in favor of spending time with them.
Summer can take a toll on your plumbing, especially with extra water use and dirtier-than-average family members. The back-to-school season can be a great time to check on your plumbing systems and take care of any minor issues before they become larger problems. Follow this checklist to keep your systems operating at max capacity.
Check for Clogs
Summer makes for extra showers and baths – and the extra potential for mess. From bathing kids after a hard day’s play to wrangling your dog into the tub after a day at the dog park, summer brings greater potential for clogs and debris buildup in your drains.
Now is the perfect time to assess the operation of your bathtub and sink drains. If you notice backups or slowly draining water, call a professional and arrange for a snaking. This will effectively remove hair and other debris and avoid larger problems down the line, such as leaks.
Check Your Water Connections
Did you know that the connections that go to your washing machine are more prone to leaking than most? Over the course of the summer, your trusty washing machine likely did its fair share of chores, from washing dirty clothes to rinsing chlorine out of swimsuits. Over time, the agitator can loosen the connection and cause small leaks.
Check your basement walls for signs of leakage, such as the growth of mold or the smell of mildew. Make sure your water connections stay secure by fastening or tightening them as needed. A professional can help fix any leaks or other issues that affect your washing machine’s smooth operation.
Flush Your Water Heater
Finally, prepare for the workout your water heater will get in the months ahead. Schedule a tune-up of your water heater and set the temperature around 120 degrees so you can achieve the perfect shower temperature faster. If your water heater is reaching the end of its lifespan, now is also a good time to explore the option of getting a new one.