As the weather changes, many people are ready for fun in the sun. In the summertime, you will probably be using your water system more for showering, watering, filling your pool or just running in the sprinklers. It goes without saying that your plumbing system may experience extra stress in the summertime. How can you be sure your plumbing system is ready for summer? Read on to find out.
When summer approaches, you will want to be sure your drain systems, sewer and plumbing system in general are in good overall shape. This will save you lots of hassles in terms of repairs and money in terms of lost water due to leaks. When you check out your plumbing system, you can start with the hoses behind your washing machine. You know you will be doing a lot more wash in the summertime, and you do not want your hoses to leak or break. Check to be sure your washing machine hoses do not have any leaks, bulges or cracks. If they do, replace them. This is a cheap and easy fix.
When you put your washing machine back in place after changing out the hoses, be sure it is sitting at least four inches away from the wall. This will keep your new hoses from getting damaged and kinked up. It is a good idea to put a tag on your washing machine hoses with the replacement date. Plan on replacing your washing machine hoses every three years.
In the summertime you may eat a lot of fresh produce, such as corn on the cob. Be careful with those corn husks. Instead of putting them in your garbage disposal, put them in a compost heap or bin to make organic garden soil. Tough food waste like corn husks, banana peels and celery can clog up your garbage disposal, so avoid plumbing problems in the summer by opting to compost those materials instead of adding them to the city sewer system.
Other things that can clog up your garbage disposal are any kind of instant foods, such as potato flakes, stuffing mix and so on. It stands to reason that if you put these dry materials down your drain or garbage disposal and try to wash them down with water, you will be unsuccessful. These things can be composted, too, so avoid damaging your plumbing by adding them to your composting kitchen scraps.
When you do use your garbage disposal, be sure to run a strong stream of cold water through it for fifteen seconds before you add any materials for disposal. This will clear it out so that it will not become clogged. Be sure not to put any oil or grease down the disposal as this causes buildup inside your pipes just like it does inside your veins, and it can cause problems!
If spring and summer are rainy times in your area, have a plumber come out and inspect all your sewer pipes for root growth. When there is a lot of rainwater in the sewer pipes and the ground is saturated, tree roots naturally grow into cracks in the pipes. Be sure to have these cleaned out early to avoid having problems with sewer backup and blockage during the summer months.
If you are going away on vacation this summer, remember to reduce the heat on your water heater or even turn it off. There is no reason for you to keep a big tank of hot water sitting in your house while you are away. In fact, you could install a timer on your water heater so that it just heats water during peak hot water use times in your home. This will save you quite a bit of energy and money.
Making a few smart adjustments can help you avoid plumbing headaches and expenses in the summertime and all year round. Follow the plumbing tips presented here to enjoy your summer months free of plumbing worries.