Knowhow-Now Article

What You Need To Know About Preparing Your Plumbing System For The Summer Months

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.

Tip: If your pipes are making a racket, there is a simple way to quiet them down. Those pipes will need to be anchored if they are exposed.

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.

Tip: Get the appropriate tools, and know exactly how to use them before you start working on your plumbing. Read manuals and do some research on the internet before starting a plumbing project.

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.

Tip: Check the floors in your bathroom for any give in order to be sure that there is no damage in the floors. Straddle the toilet, then start rocking on each foot to check whether you feel softness or weakening on the floor under you.

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.

Tip: If you have well water and discover orange or pink discoloration on your bathtub or sink, you probably have iron in your water supply. Luckily, you can quickly fix this by adding some water softener to your supply.

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.

Tip: You can greatly extend the life of your garbage disposal by regularly cleaning it. In order to keep it clean, you can use a mixture of dish soap, cherry pits and lemon rinds which will keep the disposal running smooth and smelling fresh.

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!

Tip: It is important to run your faucet with cold water whenever you run your garbage disposal. Cold water keeps blades sharp and allows for smoother disposal.

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.

Tip: Prevention is necessary when you want to keep plumbing bills down. Clogged drains are a major problem that often requires professional help.

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.

Comments
Order by: 
Per page:
 
  • There are no comments yet
   Comment Record a video comment
 
 
 
     
Related Articles
“Home sweet home.” Does that describe how you feel about the house or apartment in which you live? Or is your current housing situation simply a place you dwell out of necessity; a place to store your clothes, bathe, eat meals and lay your head at night? If the...
30.05.2014 · From TheAuthor
Homeowners never have to dig deep into their pockets to improve the value of their house. They can make significant improvements on an affordable budget, it just takes a bit of skill and decision-making in deciding which projects are the most equitable to the value of...
30.05.2014 · From TheAuthor
Chandeliers typically bring to mind images of wealth and grandeur. Once reserved for high-end homes, these traditional light fixtures have recently gotten a modern makeover. Mini-chandeliers, a current trend in the decorating industry, capture the grace and elegance...
29.05.2014 · From TheAuthor
The exterior of your home says a lot about your personal style. Whether the architecture of your house is modern and minimal or detailed and extravagant, choosing the right paint colors can accentuate key details while at the same time creating a beautiful backdrop...
28.05.2014 · From TheAuthor
Home improvement projects always start out fun and with a great vision of what will come. Perhaps there is a new child on the way and the parents want to add an extra room to their house or expand then nursery. (...)
27.05.2014 · From TheAuthor
Ads
Article Info
442 Views
0 Subscribers
All Articles by TheAuthor
Sharing Is Good!
Rate
0 votes