Most people do not consider how the seasons affect their plumbing and water usage. Whilst you might be aware of the dangers winter brings to your plumbing with issues such as frozen and burst pipes, the summer season also brings with it its own set of plumbing issues. Usually, your plumbing system is under more stress during the summer months than during the winter months. In the summer, everyone is usually at home, with the kids on vacation, and everyone wants to stay cool, clean, and fresh.
On top of that, summer is the time for parties, so more people are coming into your home, using your toilet, drinking your water, and as the weather increases, the kids love water activities. Whether they are splashing about in the pool or messing around with water hoses, they are using gallons of water over the summer months, all of which are coming from your main plumbing system.
To help you deal with the increased stress that your plumbing will be incurring in the summer, we created this expert guide with some summer tips and tricks to help ensure you do not face any major problems. However, if you do face any problems with your plumbing this summer, do not hesitate to call a plumber, as if an issue goes ignored, it can very easily spiral into a problem that is much worse and much harder to deal with.
Monitoring your plumbing system before and during the summer is a judicious thing to do as it will prevent you from using your sump pump when it’s beautiful outside. No one wants water up to their ankles in their basement, and the following tips will assist you in keeping these types of disasters from occurring.
A water leak is one of the most common issues that is caused by the cold weather in the winter months. However, if the main pipe has burst, it can be difficult to detect where, and can often go unnoticed for an extended period of time, until they get worse and cause molding in your walls. It is, therefore, a good idea to check for leaks in the summer when the weather is warm and ice turns into water. It’s less cumbersome to have people open up your drywall when it’s hot outside than during the frigid Canadian winter.
Checking for leaks is relatively easy as you will be able to see them upon close inspection. However, it can be an arduous task as there are endless things in your house and your plumbing system that could be leaking. For example, you should check for leaks around every single faucet in your house and around the pipes under the kitchen sink or any sink in your home.
If you have drinking water directed to your refrigerator, even that should be checked and so should the plumbing that goes into the back of your washing machine. You also need to inspect any outside plumbing lines, this includes things such as your sprinkler system, or any water systems that you have going to an outdoor pool or hot tub.
In addition to looking for leaks, you should prevent them by looking at the state of your plumbing system. If your pipe system appears to be corroded, you should contact a plumber and have them take a look. Your hot water heater should not have any kinks, as this signals imminent bursting and water damage.
Water pressure is something that you would likely notice if it is off, but it is still a good idea to double-check that all is in good order, especially if you are going to be hosting people over. Lots of households witness a loss in pressure during the spring, and this tends to be a tell-tale sign that there is a leak somewhere.
There are two main ways that you can test your water pressure if it has not drastically altered. Turn on your bathtub and kitchen faucets at the same time and see if the water is running slower in either the bathroom or the kitchen, as that indicates a pressure problem.
If you want a more accurate gauge of your water pressure situation, you will need to buy a specific gauge that tests your water pressure. All you need to do is attach this gauge to your outside faucet (where you’d attach your outside water hose) and it will give you a reading. Ideally, you want your pressure to be anywhere between 40 and 45 pounds per square inch. If you think it is significantly outside of these parameters, we recommend calling a plumber to have it fixed and adjust the pressure regulator.
Knowing where your water valve is and how it works is important, regardless of the season, as it will help you avoid plumbing disasters in your home. Your water valve can be in your home, in places such as under the sink, in the basement, or the garage, or it could be outside in your garden or on the street. The first thing you need to do is find it.
Next, you need to learn how it works and how to use it. Most are wheels or levers that you can turn and their function is fairly self-explanatory, you just turn the mechanism. This should turn off your main water system. To double-check, run a tap and see if it works, if nothing comes out, you have successfully turned off your water supply.
Turning off your main water line can prevent a plumbing problem from occurring if you go away on vacation, as no water is flowing through the pipes to cause any damage. You can also use it if you have a major water leak and need to turn off the water supply as quickly as possible. If you are having trouble finding your water valve or working it, ask your plumber to give you a tutorial during their maintenance visit.
You might think a hot water heater is less important during the summer than in the winter, but not everyone enjoys taking a cold shower, regardless of how hot it is outside. These appliances usually last at least 10-15 years, but you might start to see problems that require a plumber to come and check it out. Luckily, most issues with water heaters can be easily fixed.
It is important to learn how to do a water heater inspection and maintenance every now and then simply by visually assessing it to look for any leaks, corrosion, or broken parts. You can also remove any sediment build-up which is common in hot water tanks by releasing a few gallons of water from it. If you have done all of this and are still noticing that your hot water runs out quickly, you might want to call a plumber to carry out a water heater check and maybe upgrade your tank.
Repair, replacement and installation of water heaters
Summertime is the time for an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and delicious foods, many of which people are tempted to send through the garbage disposal. DO NOT DO THIS! Your garbage disposal should be used only for small food items, otherwise, it will get blocked.
This food goes directly down your drain and can cause blockages that can generate bigger issues, so set up a compost bin under your sink to avoid putting too much food down the garbage disposal.
Even with all these summer plumbing tips, some issues may arise that are simply unavoidable and require professional plumbing services. Plomberie Pro Drain is your one-stop-shop for all the plumbing services you might need.
Our professional plumbers offer services such as:
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