12 Tips For Plumbing In The Summer (So You’re Prepared!)

Ah, summer time. Everyone’s favorite time of the year is here! Tips for plumbing in the summer can be beneficial to you and your home so you can avoid any immediate issues throughout the summer.

Maybe your house is the place to be in the summer. Maybe you‘re the parent with the pool or your house is the spot for backyard barbecues. Are your home’s utilities ready for all of that extra traffic though? Let’s make sure you can be prepared this summer with these tips for plumbing.

We don’t think of our plumbing system when our home’s utilities are being used the most during the summer. Let’s make sure you can enjoy your summer instead of worrying about clogs, leaks, low water pressure, and other plumbing issues.  

Let’s jump right in.

1. Check for Leaks

Summer is the best time to check for leaks because long winters tend to have an impact on our plumbing. Take the time to individually inspect all of your sources of water, inside and outside of your home. Missing even the littlest things can leave you with an unresolved leak all summer, costing you extra money out of your pocket. Nobody wants that!

2. Check Your Water Pressure

It is important to maintain good water pressure throughout the summer. Since you are using more water from your shower, washer, and other utilities it is important to check your water pressure with a store-bought gauge that you can attach to an outside spigot. 

Note that the household standard for water pressure is 40-45 pounds per square inch (psi) and should not exceed 60 psi. 

3. Check Sprinkler Systems

Summer is the best time to check for leaks on your sprinkler systems. You should also clean and inspect the sprinkler heads at the beginning of the season. If you see that any of your sprinkler heads are broken, rusted, or damaged you should replace them with new ones before using your sprinkler system.

Sprinklers are notorious for wasting water because you can’t see where the leaks are coming from. This issue results in a higher water bill, which can be disappointing to everyone. 

4. Get to Know the Main Water Valve

Do you know where the main shut off valve is in your home? Do you know how to use it? If you don’t, you should because it’s important to know and can be handy to you in the future. Your main shut off valve could be located inside like in your basement, garage, or utility closet depending on where you live. It could also be located outside in the yard or near the water main in the street. 

If you are unsure where your main water valve is located, have your plumber show you the next time they are around. Knowing the location of it can be handy in the case of an emergency. This can also be beneficial if you are going on vacation for an extended period of time.

Although you can turn off the main water valve in your home, most appliances have their own shutoff valve attached to them. This can be handy in an event where the water needs to be turned off quickly. 

5. Avoid Clogs

During the summer, the heavier traffic in your home can also bring routine clogs. You should always be prepared for routine clogs with a plunger or a 3 foot auger as backup. If neither of these work for you in the event of a clog, you will most likely need to call a professional to come resolve the problem for you. 

Keep in mind that clogs can happen anywhere in your home. Whether it is your toilet or your kitchen sink, be prepared for clogs to take place. If the clog is further down the drain pipes, this will also have to be handled by a professional. 

6. Clear the Gutters

You might be wondering to yourself, “What does clearing my gutters have to do with my plumbing system?” Well, not really much when it comes to your plumbing system, but can be important when it rains at any measure. Your gutters play an important part because they are what keeps the water away from the foundation of your home. They can’t do their job of draining the water away from your home if your gutters are filled with leaves and debris. Keep them clean!

7. Pump to Stay Dry

If you have one, it is a good idea to test your sump pump before summer storms arrive. Be sure it has power and is turned on. Next, pour a bucket of water into it. If it is working properly, it should begin to turn on and start processing the water. By doing this, you can be positive that you are ready for those big summer thunderstorms.

If any part of your home is below ground level, you probably need a sump pump. A lot of people believe that because they don’t live in an area where flooding is prominent, a sump pump is not needed. That is actually not the case. If you still aren’t convinced, just know that the cost of a sump pump is way less expensive than having to clean up a flooded basement. 

8. Save Your Water so You Can Save Your Money

Conserving your water when you can, can save you a ton of money each year. Here are some easy ways to save your water:

• Turn off the water when brushing your teeth – saves up to 4 gallons a minute 
• Wash your car at a car wash, where water is recycled 
• Soak dishes and then wash them – it saves you from working stuck-on foods off while your water runs 
• Turn the water off while lathering your hands with soap

These simple tasks can save you so much water each year. Most of us fail to recognize how much of a difference it could really make!

9. Watch What You’re Putting Down the Disposal

There are several different food items you should avoid putting down your garbage disposal. You should avoid foods such as celery, banana peels, corn husks, melon rings, chicken skin, or meat fats. Click here for an additional list of what you should not be putting in your disposal. 

Bulky, starchy, or tough items should be avoided in the garbage disposal. They can create clogs in your kitchen sink drains or they can cause your garbage disposal to malfunction. 

10. Keep an Eye Out For Your Washer 

Summer gives everyone access to be outside for hours or maybe even the whole day and with that, comes dirt. Whether the kids are playing in the yard or you’re working around the house or in the gardens, everyone is bound to get dirty. And a lot more often than normally. This means that there is going to be more clothes to wash than normally as well. 

It is best to pull your washer away from the wall and check all of the connections that are going to and from it. Make sure that there is nothing that has been damaged or that is cracked so you are able to prevent leaks. 

11. Condensation on Pipes

Seeing condensation on your pipes is usually normal. If you’re seeing it constantly, that might be a sign that something is wrong like a leaky faucet or a running toilet. That is something you want to address because that will also make your water bill skyrocket. 

12. Check your City Code

In most areas, plumbing must be done to a certain code of standards. Your state is usually the one who sets the codes in which you have to abide by. If you’re going to take on any plumbing projects on your own, make sure that it’s following the code standards. These codes are really in place to protect public health and safety. 

Final Thoughts

Following these summer plumbing tips can reassure you that your home is ready for a great summer. Taking these precautions are ideal if your home is the place to be for family get togethers in the summer.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need any plumbing or drain cleaning service. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.