Summer is around the corner, and that means barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July fun and other outdoor events are potentially part of your seasonal plans. But before you wrap up a summer calendar, you’ll want to make sure your plumbing system is equipped for higher use.
A plumbing crisis while having guests is an annoyance that will undoubtedly stifle your summer groove. So, the team at Chief/Bauer Service Experts, the nation’s trusted name for plumbing, heating and cooling repairs and maintenance, has offered some helpful plumbing maintenance tips. Handle them soon to better assure your summer fun will be as exciting as expected.
1. Examine your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems
Coming out of winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to forget about the plumbing on the outside of your home. But it’s in fact a good place to start your plumbing maintenance and inspections. Damaged sprinkler heads will have to be replaced, as they’ll soon be depended on more heavily to keep your grass healthy and your kids cool as they spontaneously splash through them for a weekend refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be evaluated for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While outside hose spigot leaks can be obvious to notice yourself, a professional can lead you to ones that can 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 spaces for a plumbing crisis. You can begin your review by moving all items underneath sinks to examine drain pipes and the bottom of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets might leave clues as well. Mildew, warped wood and old drip spots are symptoms of leaks from either drain pipes or fixtures. Fill sinks with water and monitor how easily the drain functions. All clogs and leaks should be sorted out straight away by a professional, and you won’t want to depend 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 Chief/Bauer 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 provides mild weather but also significant rain in several regions of the country. Those rains could lead to floods in basements if your sump pump is unprepared. A properly functioning unit minimizes the potential for mold and water damage that may appear even from mild soil seepage at all times of year. The pump should be professionally inspected, debris cleaned away, the power cord looked at, and most important, water added to the pit to watch how easily it responds. If it stops or acts slowly, it might need to be serviced.
4. Resolve toilet leaks
Your water bill will be grateful for this task the most. A couple of quick inspections by a certified service professional might save you water and help you avoid a costly repair. Toilets often leak near the flapper within the tank, which can wear down over time. A pro can also promptly check other parts in the tank and surrounding the entire toilet as well. The pieces within the tank, in particular, are quite budget friendly; so, if hoses or washers seem worn or the fill valve seems slow, all these components can be replaced by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And remember, putting off even the tiniest toilet repair today will only produce larger, more expensive issues in the future.
5. It’s a great time to drain the water heater
Even though a water heater failure may not seem like it’s as unpleasant in the summer as it could be in colder months, it’s a hassle nonetheless. If you haven’t drained your water heater this year, you’ll want to take action before the summertime fun starts and showers are in high demand by guests. Water heaters amass minerals and grime at the tank’s base, which could lead to corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A skilled plumber can accomplish this simple task for you while also taking care of 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.”
Ready to request a Chief/Bauer Service Experts technician to help get your home ready for the highest level of 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