Picture this: you’re hosting a backyard BBQ when suddenly your toilet starts overflowing in front of all your guests. Don’t let plumbing disasters crash your summer fun!
Summer in Orange County means pool parties, family gatherings, and lots of outdoor activities. But all that extra activity puts serious stress on your home’s plumbing system. More showers, more laundry, constant hose use for pools and gardens…it all adds up to potential problems that can ruin your summer plans.
The good news? Most summer plumbing issues are totally preventable with some simple maintenance. Here’s how to keep your pipes happy all season long.
Check for Leaks Before They Check Your Bank Account
Summer is the perfect time to hunt for leaks since winter weather might have damaged pipes you can’t see. Walk around your home with a flashlight and inspect every faucet, pipe, and connection you can find. Look under sinks, around your water heater, and check all outdoor spigots.
Don’t forget about hidden leaks! Here’s a simple test: when nobody’s home for an hour or two, write down your water meter numbers before you leave. If the numbers changed when you get back, you’ve got a leak somewhere that may need professional pipe repair.
Give Your Water Heater Some Love
Your water heater works overtime during summer with all those extra showers and dishwashing sessions. Check around the base for any water puddles or rust spots. If you’re planning a vacation, turn down the temperature or switch it to “vacation mode” to save money on heating water you won’t use.
Hard water can clog up your system with mineral deposits, so consider flushing a few gallons from the bottom of your tank to clear out built-up sediment.
Test Your Water Pressure
With everyone taking more showers and using the hose constantly, good water pressure becomes super important. You can buy a simple pressure gauge at any hardware store and attach it to an outside spigot. Your pressure should be between 40-45 PSI. Any higher than 60 PSI can damage your appliances.
Quick test: turn on your bathtub and kitchen faucet at the same time. If one runs much slower than the other, you might have a pressure problem.
Don’t Let Your Sprinklers Become Money Drains
Sprinkler systems are leak magnets. Check your sprinkler heads regularly for clogs, rust, or damage. If you need to replace one, bring the old head to the hardware store to make sure you get the right match.
Pro tip: install a rain sensor if you don’t have one already. Nobody wants to be “that neighbor” whose sprinklers are running during a rainstorm!
Know Where Your Main Water Shut-Off Is
This might be the most important tip of all. Every homeowner should know exactly where their main water valve is and how to turn it off. It could be in your basement, garage, or somewhere in your yard near the street.
If you’re leaving town for vacation, shutting off the main valve is like insurance against flooding while you’re gone. Just remember to turn it back on when you return!
Keep Drains Happy
Summer brings lots of fresh produce, but not everything belongs in your garbage disposal. Skip the stringy stuff like celery and banana peels, and avoid hard things like melon rinds. These can wrap around the blades or create stubborn clogs.
For any drain, use cold water when running your disposal and start the water about 15 seconds before adding food waste. If your disposal starts smelling funky, run some citrus peels through it with cold water.
Watch Out for Sweaty Pipes
When cold water runs through pipes in warm weather, you might notice condensation forming on the outside. This is usually normal and stops once you turn off the water. But if you see constant moisture, you might have a leak that needs attention.
Test Your Sump Pump
If you have a sump pump, test it before summer storms hit. Pour a bucket of water into it – the pump should kick on and start removing the water. This simple test could save you from a flooded basement during those heavy California rains.
The Bottom Line
A little prevention goes a long way in avoiding plumbing emergencies. Most of these tips take just a few minutes but can save you hundreds of dollars and major headaches later. For comprehensive plumbing maintenance that covers all your bases, regular professional inspections are worth the investment.
Remember, small problems become big problems fast. If you notice anything unusual with your plumbing – strange sounds, odors, or water where it shouldn’t be. Don’t wait to address it.
At Biard and Crockett, we’ve been helping Orange County families keep their plumbing running smoothly for years. Whether you need emergency repairs, routine maintenance, or just want a professional inspection to give you peace of mind, we offer comprehensive general plumbing and drain cleaning services to meet all your needs.
Don’t let plumbing problems ruin your summer fun. Call us at (714) 602-1299 or schedule service online today!