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3 Plumbing Tips For The Summer Season

Most people think of winter as the hardest time for their pipes and plumbing, probably because of the possibility of frozen pipes. However, summer can take a toll on your plumbing too. With the kids at home for the summer or out-of-town relatives visiting on their summer vacation, your water usage may increase during the summer, and that means more wear and tear on your plumbing system. Take a look at some summer plumbing tips that can help save water and protect your pipes during the hottest months of the year.

In The Kitchen

Having your kids home all day means more meals being eaten in your kitchen, and that means more dishes. Kids aren't always careful about cleaning everything off of their plates, and that can lead to things winding up in the garbage disposal that don't belong there. Remember that fibrous foods like banana peels, corn husks, and celery can cause clogs. Keep an eye on your kids' plates and a garbage can handy for waste.

You'll also be washing more dishes, so make use of your dishwasher. It's easier on your hands and your water bill – washing a load of dishes in the dishwasher uses 37% less water than a hand wash. But make sure that you wait until the washer is full before you run it. That way, you'll save energy too.

In The Bathroom

When you have extra people in your house for the summer, you also have more strain on your bathroom fixtures. That can lead to clogs. You can avoid toilet clogs by making sure that your kids and guests stick with a moderate amount of toilet paper. Also, make sure that you know what not to put in the toilet. Things like kitty litter, baby wipes, and cotton balls should never be flushed.

Even without extra houseguests, you may find yourself taking more showers in the summer just to beat the heat. That means that your shower drain is more likely to become clogged during this season. Check the drain more often during the summer months – you may be able to remove clumps of hair and soap by hand if they're close to the surface. Otherwise, you can clear the drain with a drain claw, a plunger, or by flushing it with a pot of boiling water.

In The Laundry Room

Summer can even add to your laundry pile, for all kinds of reasons – kids playing outdoors get dirtier, as do adults who work in their gardens during the summer. And if you have a college-aged kid, they may arrive on your doorstep with a bag full of laundry of their own. Summer guests will need their clothes washed too.

The start of the summer season is a good time to check your washing machine for potential problems. Start by checking the hoses for kinks, bulges, and cracks. The hoses should be changed every three to five years, so if yours haven't been changed for longer than that, go ahead and replace them, even if they look fine. It's a cheap way to prevent the very expensive water damage that can be caused by a burst hose. Keep an eye out for leaks when you're doing laundry – if you spot water that shouldn't be there, you may need repairs. And remember to give yourself and your washing machine a break now and then – the machine shouldn't be running continuously.

If you see leaks, difficult clogs, or other signs of plumbing problems anywhere in your home, contact a plumber sooner rather than later. The earlier you get the problem fixed, the better. To find out more, speak with someone like Towers-Murray Plumbing Co Inc.