With summer right around the corner, many people are planning get-togethers and family fun. Unfortunately, a plumbing problem could ruin a perfect summer day. It could disrupt your life even more if it’s an issue that requires extensive repairs. Several common plumbing issues can arise during the summer months, but our team at Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration can help you prevent them.
A Clogged Disposal
Summertime is prime time for grilling, cookouts, and fun in the backyard. This means that you’re not only working overtime in the kitchen but so is your garbage disposal, which could be struggling to keep up with the food waste and grease. Clogged garbage disposals are common summer plumbing disasters. To avoid clogging your disposal, everyone in your family should know what can and cannot go down the unit.
Avoid placing grease, oil, shells, meat, bones, pits, and starchy foods in the disposal. You also shouldn’t put coffee grounds or eggshells down your disposal, but you can compost these items. Place a sign near the sink to remind your family members, if necessary. Watching what goes into the sink can help keep your garbage disposal working properly this summer and reduce the risks of a clogged garbage disposal.
Clogged Toilet
If you have many guests during the summer months, your toilets are likely being used a lot more. Preventing a clogged toilet over the summer requires a few simple measures. Keep the lid closed to prevent foreign objects from falling into the toilet bowl and getting flushed into the pipes.
You can also make the switch to biodegradable toilet paper, which breaks down much faster because it requires less water to dissolve. You can also post a reminder in the bathroom that only toilet paper, water, and waste products should be flushed. All other items, such as feminine hygiene products, should be disposed of in a secure trash can.
Keep a plunger on hand to readily eliminate clogs and slow drains during the busiest summer months. If you have a clog that can’t be dislodged with a plunger, call a plumber. Do not attempt to remove the clog with chemical cleaners, which can damage your plumbing.
Sewer Line Backups
Summer storms can lead to hazardous and unpleasant sewer backups. To prevent this, call our team at Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration for services if you notice any minor issues. Backups are most likely to happen after heavy rains, and understanding early warning signs can save you a hazardous environment as well as money. The biggest tip to preventing these sewer problems is ensuring that tree roots do not get into the sewer lines for your home. When you plant trees, ensure they are far from your home so the roots won’t grow toward the sewer lines. Also, only flushing biodegradable items will help keep the lines clear.
Dripping Faucets
During the summer months, you might easily get distracted by the many things going on in a household. You might not notice that there are dripping faucets in your home, which cause a lot of wasted water and raise your water bill. To prevent dripping faucets in the summer, it is essential to have your pipes insulated using a pipe wrap or spray-on insulation to reduce condensation and sweating. Covers for outside faucets will help stop water damage. Be sure to disconnect hoses, too, when not in use. Additionally, regular plumbing checks and walking the property inside and out will help you catch and stop unwanted drips right away.
Pipe Leaks
Preventing pipe leaks during the summer months involves being proactive about addressing issues that arise when seasons change. Thermal expansion is when temperatures rise, and the water in the pipes can increase in pressure and cause leaking. To prevent this, you need to manage temperature fluctuations and regularly inspect pipes as you do a weekly walk around your property.
The summer months also may cause more water usage in general, with increased usage related to gardening, landscaping, and filling up pools. which can cause leaking if you have weak pipes. Monitoring water usage and getting help for small drips can help prevent major problems with pipes leaking in the future.
Another issue that can cause pipes to start to leak in the summer is the ground shifting around your home and causing damage to underground pipes. This is easily prevented by ensuring that there is appropriate drainage around your home to stop excess moisture changes.
Clogged Shower Drains
Clogged shower drains are one of the worst things that can happen in your home this summer regarding plumbing. There is nothing like disrupting the flow of a summer day with a drain that isn’t working well and people who need to shower. To prevent this, use a drain cover to collect hair and other debris before it enters the pipes in your home. Drain covers will also stop soap scum which can clog up the walls of pipes. Cleaning the shower drain regularly can also help ensure it won’t drain slowly or back up. A hot water flush is also a great way to keep your pipes flowing well, and it is a healthier alternative to chemical pipe cleaners.
Flooded Basement
A flooded basement is a disaster that nobody wants during the summer. This can halt a good amount of your time during the summer, so it is essential to make sure that you do everything you can to prevent this from happening. Checking the gutters and downspouts around your home is a simple way to make sure that there isn’t water going into your home. Also, inspect the foundation and walls of your home each week so that you can spot any leaks early. Installing a sump pump is also a great way to prevent a basement from flooding. A sump pump collects and pumps out water that accumulates in the sump basin. If you have a sump pump, check to make sure it is in good working condition, and you can install a battery backup to make sure it stays operational during a power outage. Knowing how to shut off the water supply in your home is also a great way to stay prepared if there is excess water running into your basement because of a broken or leaking pipe.
Water Heater Breakdowns
Summer is a challenging time for water heaters because of the increased usage and higher outdoor temperatures. Preventing a water heater from breaking down requires being proactive about maintenance and regular checks to ensure this system operates efficiently every day. Regular inspections every week are a great way to ensure that your water heater stays working during the summer. Look for signs of rust as well as corrosion and leaks to ensure that your water heater stays healthy.
Insulating your water heater tank and pipes can also help maintain the desired water temperature and reduce the energy required to heat water. Have your water heater checked before the summer starts to make sure that it is in good working condition so you can have more peace of mind that it will keep up with the higher workload this summer.
At Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration in Boca Raton, Florida, we repair and install plumbing and plumbing fixtures for homes in the area. We also offer air conditioning, mold remediation, and fire damage restoration services. Contact Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration for more information today!
