The top three ways to avoid a summer plumbing disaster are maintenance, preparation, and evaluation. Here’s how you should tackle all areas, based on the advice from Warner Service techs.
Maintenance
Are you going on summer vacation? Best maintain your plumbing anatomy months before you leave. Here’s what you can do to start:
- Turn off the main water valve to avoid a potential accident while you’re away. To go the extra mile in plumbing maintenance, shut off individual water valves to the washing machine, dishwasher, and ice maker.
- Drain the sprinkler system. Unless you’re watering the yard, drain the sprinkler system and shut it off completely when you’re away to avoid a high water bill.
- Check the gutters to ensure that it can handle summer rain. Remove debris, leaves, and sticks in the inlet, and reattach downspout extensions to avoid a flooded foundation.
- Do the landscaping. Ensure tree roots aren’t encroaching on the sewer line.
- Test the sump pump to prevent basement flooding in the case of a gutter fail. Dump water into the sump pit to raise the water level.
If the sump pump ejects the water properly, your basement is safe. If it doesn’t eject water properly, see if it’s one of these common problems or schedule a professional plumbing maintenance visit. - Drain and empty the dishwasher and washing machine to prevent mold, mildew, and unpleasant odors.
- Adjust the water heater to keep your energy bill low. Set the water heater to the lowest setting possible, or completely shut it off to prevent the possibility of flooding when you’re on summer vacation.
- Combat unpleasant odors and bacteria build-up in kitchen and bathroom drains with these eco-friendly drainage products.
- Check every appliance for dampness and corrosion. If you spot something, contact a professional.
- Run the pool pump to avoid algae build-up. If you plan to vacation for more than a few days, keep the pool pump on at optimal setting to ensure proper operation while you’re away.
If this seems like too much, contact a plumbing professional or sign up for a maintenance agreement to set it and forget it this summer.
Preparation
Are you prepared for a plumbing emergency? Check out this list of tools you should have.
Do you know which plumbing professional you’d call? This is why people choose Warner Service over the competition.
Are you aware of the warning signs for a plumbing catastrophe? Here’s a list of signs you should look out for.
No matter your answer to those three questions, it’s all about preparation. The best way to handle a summer plumbing disaster is by being prepared for one before it strikes. Gather the right tools, know who to call, and watch out for warning signs from your plumbing anatomy.
Tip: To get started, check out these summer-specific drainage problems that can occur in your basement and faucets.
Can you fix a leaky faucet? What about an overflowing toilet or low water pressure?
While you most likely don’t have the trade skills or experience to understand the intricacy of bathroom plumbing anatomy or sewer drainage systems, it’s important to evaluate what you do know.
If you ask the right questions when a plumbing problem arises, you’re preparing yourself to do personal research on a plumbing diagnosis and solution. You have the necessary knowledge to also call a plumbing professional, if the solution seems too advanced, if it’s an emergency, or if you don’t have the right tools.
To continue your evaluation of plumbing problems, educate yourself with HomeAdvisor or American Water Resources or test your knowledge by taking The Ultimate Basic Plumbing Quiz from HowStuffWorks or Contractor’s Monthly Plumbing Quiz: Tools of the Trade.
For more information about how to avoid a summer plumbing disaster, click on the button below to download Warner Service’s DIY Plumbing Checklist To Save Water and Money:
