As summer heats up, it’s essential to evaluate your plumbing. Take some time to review our plumbing tips for summer, and then enjoy what this season has to offer! Summer is a time for the kids to be off and for vacations and visitors, which means there will be more traffic in your home, and with that comes more dishes, flushes, showers, and more that can impact your plumbing. Checking in on your plumbing in the summer will also set you up for success once the temperatures begin to dip in the Fall.
The following plumbing tips can help you stay on top of your plumbing for summer and ensure that you don’t have to deal with any major plumbing problems. If there are any other plumbing tips for summer that aren’t on the list that you’re curious about, give us a call, and we’re happy to help! Now, get started on your plumbing tips for summer checklist, and then enjoy your fun in the sun!
Top 8 Plumbing Tips for Summer
Confirm Your Water Heater Works
While you may be thinking, “Why would you need to check your water heater during the hottest time of the year?” Summer is actually a great time to have this appliance inspected! During the summer, there are no worries about cold weather, so you don’t have to worry about it freezing. It will also be easier to book an appointment for any repairs or replacements if you find an issue since it’s not the busy season for this appliance. Don’t let this appliance slip your mind in the summer heat!
Test Your Sump Pump
The seemingly endless summer rain can put a lot of strain on a sump pump. However, a dry summer can be ideal for testing your sump pump. It’s especially advisable to test your sump pump before Hurricane Season beings.
To test your sump pump, you must pour water into the pump and see if it works properly. When testing the sump pump, it’s also a good idea to clean it out to enhance its draining capabilities. If the pump is running when there is no water in it, contact the team at Goodbee Plumbing!
Inspect for Leaks
Check all your faucets, pipes under the sink, shower heads, bathtubs, drinking water line behind the fridge, water softener connections, spigots, sprinkles, pool, or other plumbing fixtures for rust, corrosion, leaks, broken or bent parts, or signs of trouble. The colder temperatures can significantly impact your plumbing, so summer is a great time to evaluate indoor and outdoor plumbing. Even if you live in an area that doesn’t get too cold, any temperature change can impact your plumbing.
Watch the Washer
With all the summer activities, we can almost guarantee you do more laundry than usual. Start your summer off with a washing machine inspection. All you have to do is pull the machine away from the wall so you can look at the back of it. Once you have done that, check the connections and appearance of the hoses for any bulges or cracks. Additionally, check to see if there is any standing water, mold, mildew, or any other signs that something is not functioning correctly. If anything looks distressed and you aren’t sure of a DIY, contact the experts at Goodbee Plumbing, and we will send someone on our team out as soon as possible.
Evaluate Your Hoses and Valves
Wintertime isn’t the only season that can impact your hoses and valves. Even though there are no freeze warnings, the summer heat can cause issues. For example, the risk of flooding increases if you have loose connections on any hoses or valves. Inspect every hose to evaluate the connections to ensure it’s tightly attached, turn all valves on and off to test that they work correctly, and don’t let loose connections linger. Call Goodbee if you notice any so we can ensure you have summer fun rather than dealing with costly plumbing problems.
Check Your Toilet
Toilets are one of the house’s most used appliances, so ensuring it’s functioning properly is crucial. As part of your plumbing tips for summer checklist, check your toilet for any leaks or blockages. One DIY method is the food coloring test. All you have to do is add food coloring into the tank and wait about half an hour. If the food coloring is in the bowl after 30 minutes, you have a leak. If not, you’re good to go! If you notice some food coloring entering the bowl, there is no need to stress; just call Goodbee, and we’ll fix it as soon as possible.
Clear Your Gutters
While gutters are often not regarded as part of the plumbing system, checking is still crucial. If your gutters are clogged, water won’t be able to move away from your home. Instead of draining, in this situation, water can make its way into your home through the walls, which can cause significant damage to your foundation or cause major structural damage. All you have to do is add clear your gutters to your checklist and give yourself a couple of hours! If you notice a blockage, contact Goodbee as soon as possible.
Be Energy Efficient
With vacations and fun activities planned for the summer, there are times when no one will be home. If you’re planning vacations, be sure to think green. For example, you can turn off the water heater if no one is using the water. Turning it off will lower your monthly bill, help the environment, and give your water heater a break!
Let Goodbee Plumbing Handle Your Summer Time Needs
If you go through these plumbing tips for summer, look no further than the team at Goodbee Plumbing. We’ve been in the industry for over 14 years and are well-versed in all aspects of plumbing. As a family-owned and operated business, we value our customers and never drain their wallets! Give us a call, and we’ll be right over.