How to Avoid Plumbing Emergencies During Summer

This is because of the adverse effects the cold winter weather has on your plumbing. From putting a strain on your hot water system to suddenly increasing the household use, a lot can go wrong if you leave your home’s plumbing unchecked.

According to plumbers, summer is a peak time for plumbing emergencies. The last thing you want is to deal with plumbing problems that could potentially throw a wrench on your vacation plans. Let’s take a look at some expert plumbing tips that will help you avoid disastrous plumbing emergencies this season.

Get the washing machine up and running

With all the beach towels and sweaty t-shirts underway, your washing machine is in for a workout this summer. So spare it a thought and see if it needs a bit of summer maintenance. To start things off, check the hoses on the machine. These only last for a few years so lookout for signs of wear and tear.

How about your clothes? Do they come out wet after giving them a spin? If this is the case, then your washing machine’s motor is likely on the way out. Doing a thorough maintenance check allows you to catch problems early on and avoid dealing with costly repairs and major replacements in the midst of summer.

Check your drains

The great thing about summer is the get-together with friends and family. But summer parties can be a bit chaotic with plenty of people coming and going. This means lots of food and rubbish is being discarded which can take a toll on your drain.

Perhaps the most serious drain issues in summer have to do with your garden. As the plants soak up the sun’s rays, large trees spread their roots in search of water. The best place they can find them? In your plumbing. Your drains can become completely blocked by tree roots and before you know it, you got a major plumbing issue in your hands.

Avoid planting trees and plants near pipes and make sure to remove them immediately before they cause any problems. At this time of the year, you should pay attention to what you’re flushing down the drain. Food scraps, oils, and fats are some of the things you want to avoid since they tend to accumulate and create blockages. Make sure to discard these items properly to give your drains a much-needed break from all the summer activities going on.

Establish a few toilet rules

Summer means school is no longer in session! That’s great news for the kids, but for your toilet? Not so much. Your bathroom may not be prepared for the extra workload which can lead to unwanted floods and smells if you’re not careful. Aussie plumbers report that toilet-related callouts are high during the summertime not just because more people are using the toilet, but because kids, in particular, are misusing it.

From using too much toilet paper to letting small toys get flushed down the pipe, these items can clog up your toilet faster than you can say, “stop!” So make sure to establish a few toilet rules and let the little ones know how much toilet paper to use and to not bring any toys near the toilet.

Schedule an annual check

As the season transitions from spring to summer, most people are already planning their holiday trips and getaways. But if you’re any the wiser, your first thought should be to schedule an annual check on your home’s plumbing.

Plumbing problems can be a bit of a nuisance to deal with, especially if you haven’t been maintaining your plumbing regularly. What could have been a simple leak is now a full-blown pipe that’s bursting with water. No one wants to be in the middle of a summer break while their pipes are flooding their homes.

So do yourself a favour and have your pipes checked by plumbing professionals. Now is the best time to inspect the condition of your plumbing system to ensure that all pipes are working properly and the hot water system is running okay.

Inspect your sprinkler system

There’s no better time to bust out the lawnmower and turn on the sprinklers other than the summer season. If you find that your sprinklers have low water pressure, it may be the backflow preventer valves not being fully opened. There’s also a chance that there’s a broken line somewhere in your sprinkler system due to digging or other activities in your front yard.

If you’re unsure why your sprinkler system has low water pressure, it’s best to contact a professional plumber and have it addressed immediately.

Don’t let plumbing emergencies ruin your plans for the summer holiday. Make sure you’re well-prepared by following these expert plumbing tips!