When plumbing problems rear their ugly heads in the summertime, they can put a serious damper on your outdoor activities. Below are the top five plumbing problems that homeowners are most likely to experience in the summer, the most common causes, and how to spot plumbing problems and prevent them.
#1 – A Leaky Outdoor Spigot
During the winter months, the outdoor spigot freezes and thaws, then refreezes, then thaws. All of this freezing and thawing with very little use can cause the washers inside the spigot to wear out. Then, when you do need a source of outdoor water during the summer, you might find the spigot leaking pretty significantly. You can shut off the water supply to outdoor spigots to help prevent this, but for the most part, it’s just something that tends to happen from time to time – especially when the components inside the spigot are several years old.
#2 – Clogged Garbage Disposals
Summertime also means it’s time to barbeque with friends and family, and with all that food preparation going on, garbage disposals are getting some significant workouts. Many of the common foods people enjoy throughout the summer are absolutely terrible for your disposal. These include corn cobs, fruit stones, watermelon rinds, and even the fat from your barbequed brisket! Make sure that you are composting these or disposing of them properly to prevent garbage disposal woes this summer.
#3 – Sump Pump Breakdowns
Summer rains can be really intense, and if you have a basement, there’s always a chance that it might flood. Sump pumps are designed to help remove any excess water that finds its way into your basement, so it’s important to keep them well-maintained if you want to keep water out of your living space. If your sump pump hasn’t been serviced in a while, now is a great time to schedule an appointment.
#4 – Clogged Toilets
If you have kids in your home, there’s a good chance you will have double (or even triple!) the number of kids in your home this summer thanks to their friends coming in and out. As such, it never hurts to be prepared for toilet woes such as clogs. While most clogs are easy enough to resolve on your own with a plunger, call for professional help if you can’t break the clog free on your own. Chemical solutions can be harmful to your pipes, and snaking – while certainly viable – should be done by a professional to prevent damage to your toilet.
#5 – Washing Machine Issues
Last, but most certainly not least, now that everyone is home for the summer, there’s bound to be an influx of extra laundry – and extra dirty laundry, at that. With everything from vacations to camping trips to water balloon fights in the backyard, your washing machine is sure to get a workout. Two of the most common issues you are likely to experience with your washing machine include a clogged drain line and leaking hoses. It’s best to have your hoses and drains inspected by a professional to prevent these potentially disastrous issues.
Summer is the time of year for lots of fun in the sun, so don’t let plumbing issues keep you from enjoying yourself. Prevention is always the best medicine, but if you experience these or any other plumbing-related problems, call a trusted professional for quick, courteous service.