During the summer season, your plumbing goes through increased use. That’s why it is important to keep it well-maintained. To help you prepare your plumbing system for the hotter weather, the pros at OnTime Service have prepared a guide with the most important plumbing tips.
1. Inspect Your Home for Leaks
Go into the summer season completely leak free by inspecting your home for water leaks. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average household’s leaks account for 10,000 gallons of water lost per year. This can be avoidable by making sure the most leak-prone areas in your home—toilet, faucets, showerheads—are dry. To be extra mindful of leaks, consider getting a handy-dandy leak detector. These devices can be placed in various areas in your home and sound an alarm when they sense a leak.
2. Prevent Toilet Clogs
Toilet clogs are frustrating to get rid of but very easy to prevent. This summer make sure you don’t deal with any toilet blockages by avoiding flushing anything that isn’t waste or toilet paper. Even flushable wipes are a no-no because they are harder to break down than simple toilet paper.
3. Do Your Best to Save Water
Try to be more conscious of your water usage during the summer. It is no surprise that water use often increases during summer, so make sure that you are only using water where you need it. That means shortening your showers, turning off the faucet when you’re shampooing your hair or when you’re brushing your teeth or fully loading up your dishwasher when using it. Making these small changes might help to make a big difference in your water bill.
4. Clear Out Your Drains
Make sure you clear out your outdoor drains and downspouts so that they are free of leaves and dirt. If you don’t clean your drains, they might clog up and cause damage to your drains, leading to cracks and leaks. In addition, make sure you clear out your bathtub drains—you can either use a drain snake or pour a combination of baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water down the drain. To prevent bathtub clogs, cover the drain opening with a mesh filter or hair-catcher!
5. Schedule an Appointment with A Plumber
There are a lot of plumbing maintenance tasks you can handle on your own, but there are some that require professional assistance. Take a minute to schedule an appointment with a plumber you trust so they can come and inspect your plumbing system and ensure it is ready to face the summer! A professional inspection can save you money in the long run by preventing expensive malfunctions or repairs in the future.
Want more summer plumbing tips? Get in touch with the pros at OnTime Service by giving us a call at 251-272-3595 (Eastern Shore/Mobile) or 205-942-1405 (Birmingham) or scheduling a service with us on our website. Our team of experts would be more than happy to help you out!
