Summertime means fun in the sun, relaxation, and BBQ’s. As the days get longer, and the temperatures get warmer, it is important to make sure you are taking the proper precautions to protect your plumbing from the sweltering heat. Temperature can have a huge impact on your plumbing, even during the summer months. Help you plumbing beat the heat this summer with these summertime plumbing tips.
Prevent Summertime Clogs
Clogged drains are pretty common during the summer months. During summer, we many find themselves entertaining a lot more. This means extra cooking and extra people using the restroom. In addition, when your children are home from school for the summer, your restrooms will naturally get more usage because there are more people home during the day. This adds extra pressure to your plumbing. However, just because your plumbing is seeing more action during the summer months, does not mean you need to succumb to plumbing issues. Some important summertime plumbing tips to remember to prevent clogs include:
- Having your drains cleaned at the beginning of summer. This helps remove any grime that builds up over time. This helps eliminate obstructions and keeps things flowing.
- Watch what goes down the drain. We find a lot of clogs happen when people entertain. The extra cooking can lead to things finding their way into your drains that shouldn’t be there. Some things that should never go down the drain include: grease, fibrous food particles like corn husks and potato peels, leftovers, bones, pasta, batter, paper, and trash.
- Watch what gets flushed. Just like your kitchen drains, your bathroom drains are no different. Flushing items that don’t belong could cause a clog. Only toilet paper and waste should ever be flushed. Other paper products, feminine hygiene products, diapers, wipes, hair, and dental floss should be disposed of in the trash can. Make sure you talk to your children about what not flush down the toilet, and if you are hosting a party, communicate with your guests, especially if you have an older plumbing system that is already finicky.
- Have your plumbing inspected.
Prevent Summertime Leaks
Leaks are another common plumbing problem that can arise during summer. One reason is that extreme heat can cause pipes to expand. When this happens it can cause leaks. What makes theses kind of leaks dangerous, is that oftentimes they go undetected. For example, if a leak is sprung underground, you may not realize it for quite some time. This can lead to excess waste and costly repairs. Some signs your plumbing has a hidden leak include: the sound of rushing or dripping water, unexplained puddles of water, saturated ground, lush green patches of grass, the smell of mold or mildew, a higher than usual water bill. In addition, if you turn on the cold water, and warm water is coming out, you could have a problem. Leak detection is an important summertime plumbing tip. Have your plumbing inspected on a regular basis, and be able to recognize the signs of a leak. To prevent your pipes from expanding from the heat, make sure they are properly insulated, and that underground pipes are buried deep enough.
Sun Damaged Pipes
The sun can be brutal, UV rays are dangerous to our skin which is why we wear sunscreen. The same UV rays can also damage your plumbing. If you have pipes that are exposed to the elements, they could be susceptible to sun damage. Over time prolonged exposure can lead to weakened and brittle pipes. This can cause leaks. This is yet another reason to have your pipes inspected on a regular basis and make sure they are properly insulated. Weak or brittle pipes should be replaced right away to prevent unnecessary waste and damage.
Summertime should be a time of carefree fun, don’t waste any time worrying about your plumbing. Regular plumbing inspections and drain cleaning can help alleviate problems before they arise. This saves time, money, and stress. For more summertime plumbing tips or to schedule service contact Lesco today!
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