When summertime approaches, the cold long winter is finally behind you. It is also time for the kids to take their summer vacation. With all of the traffic in the house during the summer and after a long cold winter, there are a few summertime plumbing tips that you should know to protect your plumbing system as well as your home.
Tip #1: Check for Leaks
A long, cold winter can have an impact on your plumbing that you may not even know about because you cannot see the problem. It is a good idea to check for leaks while you can before summer ends and the weather gets cold again. When checking for leaks, there are a few areas that you should focus on.
- Toilet: If your toilet is leaking, it can greatly increase your water bill. Luckily, checking for a toilet leak is very simple. Start by putting food coloring in the toilet tank. Be sure to flush the toilet and let it sit for 45 minutes. If after 45 minutes the water in the toilet bowl is clear, you don't have a leak. If the water has turned colors, your toilet is leaking and you may need to call a plumber.
- Bathtub: To inspect your bathtub, you should start by checking the grout all around the edges of the tub. Make sure that it is sealed properly. If there are any chips or cracks in the grout, it will allow water to leak under the tub or into the wall. Next, press on the wall tiles in the shower where they meet with the bathtub. If they are moving or if they feel soft and spongy, there is probably a leak somewhere in the tub.
- Water Heater: Since most homeowners keep their water heaters out of sight, they should be inspected regularly for leaks. Start by checking all of the connections to be sure that there is no moisture around them. If you see moisture in the area, there could be a leak. Also, check under and around the water heater for water. If the area around your water heater is wet, you should contact a plumber immediately.
Tip #2: Check Your Water Pressure
During the summer when the kids are out of school, your shower, your washing machine, and your outside hose will get a lot more use than it did during the winter. With all of this extra water that you are using, it is important to be sure that the water pressure or PSI is at the right level. The standard household PSI should be between 40 to 45 PSI. It should never exceed 60 PSI.
Tip #3: Avoid Clogs
Avoiding clogs is something that you should practice all year long. There are a few ways that you can keep your drains and toilet from becoming clogged.
- Never flush baby wipes or dirty diapers down the drain.
- Never pour grease down the drain.
- Install covers over your shower drain to keep it from becoming clogged with hair.
- Install covers over your kitchen sink to keep food from going down the drain and causing a clog.
If you know a few summertime plumbing tips, it is a great way to keep your plumbing functioning properly all year long. Our team at Mr. Rooter of Southeast Wisconsin is here to help if you experience any plumbing problems that need to be fixed.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment.