Summer is on the horizon, and that equals barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July excitement and other outdoor gatherings are potentially part of your seasonal schedule. But before you nail down your summer calendar, you’ll want to ensure your plumbing system is equipped for high use.
A plumbing emergency while hosting guests is a headache that will surely stifle your summer groove. So, the team at Orangutan Home Services, the nation’s trusted name for plumbing, heating and cooling repairs and maintenance, has offered some helpful plumbing maintenance tips. Tackle them soon to better assure your summer schedule will be as exciting as planned.
1. Test your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems
After winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to forget about the plumbing surrounding the outside of your home. But it’s genuinely a good place to start your plumbing maintenance and inspections. Damaged sprinkler heads will need to be replaced, as they’ll soon be counted on more intensively to keep your grass healthy and your kids cool as they repeatedly sprint through them for a mid-day refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be tested for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While exterior hose spigot leaks might be obvious to find yourself, a professional can warn you of ones that may occur on the inside of the wall, too.
2. Clean and unclog bathroom and kitchen drains, check fixtures
Kitchens and bathrooms are your most expected areas for a plumbing catastrophe. You can initiate your review by clearing away all items below sinks to check drain pipes and the underside of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets can leave clues as well. Mildew, warped wood and old drip spots are signs 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 immediately by a professional, and you won’t want to rely on liquid agents as a long-term answer 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 Orangutan Home Services. “A professional can clean out all your drains, fix a bad one and bring peace of mind with a warranty.”
3. Don’t leave out your sump pump
Summer produces mild weather but also substantial rain in some sections of the country. Those rains might lead to floods in basements if your sump pump is unprepared. A properly functioning system decreases the potential for mold and water problems that might develop even from trivial soil seepage throughout the year. The pump must be professionally inspected, debris cleared, the power cord checked, and most important, water put in to the pit to observe how quickly it responds. If it stops or reacts slowly, it may need to be repaired.
4. Address toilet leaks
Your water bill might be thankful for this task the most. A few quick inspections by a certified service professional might save you water and help you avoid a costly repair. Toilets frequently leak near the flapper within the tank, which can wear down over time. A pro can also easily check other components inside the tank and around the whole toilet as well. The pieces in the tank, in particular, are quite budget friendly; so, if hoses or washers look worn or the fill valve seems slow, all these components can be changed out by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And remember, putting off even the most minor toilet repair today will only result in larger, more expensive problems in the future.
5. It’s a great time to drain the water heater
Even though a water heater failure won't always feel like it’s as bad in the summer as it would be in colder months, it’s a bother nonetheless. If you haven’t drained your water heater this year, you’ll want to handle it before the summertime fun begins and showers are in high demand by guests. Water heaters collect minerals and other debris at the tank’s base, which may produce rust and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A trained plumber can accomplish this simple task for you while also resolving other maintenance services.
“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 request a Orangutan Home Services technician to help get your home ready for maximum summertime fun? You can also visit our website today for details about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.
Disclaimer: Source: GET Creative, a division of USA TODAY