Summer is on the horizon, and that means barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July excitement and other outdoor events are potentially part of your seasonal schedule. But before you wrap up the summer calendar, you’ll want to ensure your plumbing system is ready for higher use.
A plumbing emergency while hosting guests is an inconvenience that will certainly stifle your summer groove. So, the team at Pardee Service Experts, the nation’s trusted name for plumbing, heating and cooling repairs and maintenance, has provided some worthwhile plumbing maintenance tips. Tackle them now to better assure your summer fun will be as exciting as intended.
1. Check your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems
Coming out of winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to forget about the plumbing surrounding the outside of your home. But it’s genuinely a great place to start your plumbing maintenance and inspections. Worn sprinkler heads will need to be replaced, as they’ll soon be depended on more intensely to keep your grass healthy and your kids cool as they happily sprint through them for a mid-day refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be examined for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outdoor hose spigot leaks might be obvious to discover yourself, a professional can warn you of ones that may occur on the interior of the wall, too.
2. Clean and unclog bathroom and kitchen drains, examine fixtures
Kitchens and bathrooms are your most likely places for a plumbing crisis. You can begin your review by removing all items underneath sinks to check drain pipes and the bottom of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets can supply clues as well. Mildew, warped wood and old drip spots are indicators of leaks from either drain pipes or fixtures. Fill sinks with water and watch how fast the drain operates. All clogs and leaks should be addressed as soon as possible by a professional, and you won’t want to fall back on liquid agents as a long-term solution for clogs either.
“We strongly discourage homeowners from tackling drain problems with a liquid agent. They may address the clog, but they may also damage plastic or metal pipes,” said BJ Richardson of Pardee Service Experts. “A professional can clean out all your drains, fix a bad one and bring peace of mind with a warranty.”
3. Don’t forget your sump pump
Summer produces mild weather but also significant rain in several areas of the country. Those rains can result in floods in basements if your sump pump is unprepared. A properly functioning system minimizes the potential for mold and water problems that might develop even from slight soil seepage throughout the year. The pump must be professionally examined, debris cleaned away, the power cord checked, and most important, water put in to the pit to watch how quickly it responds. If it stops or acts slowly, it might need to be repaired.
4. Fix toilet leaks
Your water bill will appreciate this task the most. A couple of simple inspections by a certified service professional can save you water and help you avoid a costly repair. Toilets frequently leak around the flapper inside the tank, which is likely to wear out over time. A pro can also easily examine other components within the tank and surrounding the entire toilet as well. The parts inside the tank, in particular, are very inexpensive; so, if hoses or washers seem worn or the fill valve sounds slow, all these components can be changed out by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And remember, putting off even the tiniest toilet repair today will only produce more substantial, more expensive issues in the future.
5. It’s a great chance to drain the water heater
Even though a water heater breakdown may not seem like it’s as difficult in the summer as it would be in colder months, it’s a bother nonetheless. If you haven’t emptied your water heater this year, you’ll want to handle it before the summertime fun starts and showers are in high demand by guests. Water heaters amass minerals and other debris at the tank’s base, which may result in rust and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A professional plumber can perform this simple task for you while also taking care of other maintenance items.
“A lot of these inspections may seem like common sense, but they can easily go overlooked when our lives get busy,” Richardson added. “You can schedule a certified professional to inspect all of your plumbing systems today. That way you can confidently plan your summer fun without the worry of unexpected surprises.”
Eager to arrange a Pardee Service Experts technician to help get your home ready for optimum summertime fun? You can also stop by our website today for more info about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.
Disclaimer: Source: GET Creative, a division of USA TODAY