Summer season is right around the corner which means it is time to spend more time outdoors, take vacations, and partake in all the activities we enjoy when the weather is nice. However, with all the activities going on, there might be more traffic happening in your home which includes more flushes of the toilet, more clothes to wash and also dishes to clean. Sometimes, with all that is going on, we tend to forget about whether our home’s utilities can handle all the extra summer traffic and that includes the plumbing. We all know that one unpleasant plumbing problem can put a major dent into any summer plans, so it’s important to keep this top of mind and make the necessary adjustments to keep it secure. There are a plethora of proactive and preventative plumbing measures you can take to prepare your plumbing system for the summer. So, here are a few plumbing tips you should keep in mind.

 

Inspect For Leaks

The summer is usually one of the best times to check your system for leaks as the winter months can have a significant impact on your plumbing that you may not even see. Plus, you want to use this time to take care of any issues before it starts to get cold again. So, be sure to inspect each of the elements that use water inside and outside of your house individually. This would include the faucets, any pipes under the sink, showerheads, drinking water lines, sprinklers, and much more. Inspect for rust, corrosion, leaks, or any broken and bent parts that may be a sign of trouble. You will also want to use a flashlight to check underneath the cabinets and it would help to have a towel and some tissues to wipe our hands or if you detect any moisture.

 

Pinpoint The Pressure

Due to all the activity that your shower, toilet, and other utilities will see during the summer, it is critical that you maintain good water pressure. You can get yourself a water gauge that attaches to an outside spigot and check to measure the household water pressure. They say that the household standard is 40-45 pounds per square inch and that it should not exceed 60 psi. Now, between your home and the main water line is a pressure regulator that is used to keep the high-pressure water supply from bursting in your home. Typical regulators are preset for 50 psi, however, you along with your plumber can adjust this in the event it is the reason for the pressure being too high or too low. 

 

Avoid Clogs

You will also want to determine the cause of any slow drains or weak flush issues, especially during the warm weather. You should also prepare for routine clogs with plungers or even a three-foot auger in the event the plunger is not getting the job done. This should be used carefully to avoid cracks to the toilet, but it should be able to handle most normal clogs. If not, you may want to seek professional assistance to inspect and find the problem. 

 

Clear The Gutters

Now, most people may not associate clean gutters as a typical summer plumbing problem, however, they actually play a critical role in keeping the water away from the foundation of your home. In order for them to work as they should, the gutters need to be free of any debris like leaves, twigs, and other materials. 

 

Now, these are just a few preventative measures that you should be taking to ensure the security of your plumbing system during the summer. For more information on this and other methods you can implement, please feel free to call A&L Cesspool at (718) 729-3018!