Summer is around the corner, and that means barbecues, graduation parties, Fourth of July excitement and other outdoor gatherings are potentially part of your seasonal plans. But before you wrap up your summer calendar, you’ll want to ensure your plumbing system is prepared for high use.
A plumbing crisis while having guests is a headache that will certainly weaken your summer groove. So, the team at Stark Services, the nation’s trusted name for plumbing, heating and cooling repairs and maintenance, has provided some worthwhile plumbing maintenance tips. Handle them promptly to better assure your summer satisfaction will be as relaxing as intended.
1. Check your hose spigot, sprinkler and irrigation systems
After winter and holiday indoor parties, it’s easy to overlook the plumbing around the outside of your home. But it’s genuinely a great place to start your plumbing maintenance and assessments. Worn sprinkler heads will need to be replaced, as they’ll soon be counted on more often to keep your grass watered and your kids cool as they happily run through them for an afternoon refresher. Underground sprinkler and irrigation lines should also be examined for leaks as well as your hose spigot too. While exterior hose spigot leaks might be obvious to spot yourself, a professional can lead you to ones that may occur on the inside of the wall, too.
2. Clean and unclog bathroom and kitchen drains, examine fixtures
Kitchens and bathrooms are your most expected places for a plumbing catastrophe. You can begin your review by clearing away all items beneath sinks to examine drain pipes and the bottom of faucets for leaks. Your cabinets may provide clues as well. Mildew, warped wood and old drip spots are symptoms of leaks from either drain pipes or fixtures. Fill sinks with water and observe how easily the drain operates. All clogs and leaks should be sorted out straight away by a professional, and you won’t want to fall back on liquid agents as a long-term solution for clogs either.
“We strongly discourage homeowners from tackling drain problems with a liquid agent. They may address the clog, but they may also damage plastic or metal pipes,” said BJ Richardson of Stark Services. “A professional can clean out all your drains, fix a bad one and bring peace of mind with a warranty.”
3. Don’t overlook your sump pump
Summer provides mild weather but also significant rain in some sections of the country. Those rains might produce floods in basements if your sump pump is unprepared. A properly functioning system reduces the potential for mold and water problems that can appear even from trivial soil seepage throughout the year. The pump must be professionally examined, debris removed, the power cord looked at, and most important, water put in to the pit to observe how soon it responds. If it stops or responds slowly, it might need to be serviced.
4. Resolve toilet leaks
Your water bill may be thankful for this move the most. A few quick inspections by a certified service professional could save you water and help you avoid a costly repair. Toilets frequently leak near the flapper within the tank, which can wear out over time. A specialist can also easily review other hardware inside the tank and surrounding the whole toilet as well. The parts within the tank, in particular, are pretty budget friendly; so, if hoses or washers appear worn or the fill valve sounds slow, all these components can be exchanged by a professional quickly and cost-effectively. And keep in mind, ignoring even the tiniest toilet repair today will only become larger, more expensive problems in the future.
5. It’s a good time to flush the water heater
Even though a water heater problem won't always seem like it’s as dreadful in the summer as it would be in colder months, it’s a hassle all the same. If you haven’t emptied your water heater this year, you’ll want to get it done before the summertime fun starts and showers are in high demand by guests. Water heaters collect minerals and sediment at the tank’s base, which may produce corrosion and the need for a water heater repair or replacement. A trained plumber can complete this simple task for you while also addressing other maintenance services.
“A lot of these inspections may seem like common sense, but they can easily go overlooked when our lives get busy,” Richardson added. “You can schedule a certified professional to inspect all of your plumbing systems today. That way you can confidently plan your summer fun without the worry of unexpected surprises.”
Eager to arrange a Stark Services technician to help get your home ready for maximum summertime fun? You can also visit our website today for more info about our seasonal maintenance specials and repairs.
Disclaimer: Source: GET Creative, a division of USA TODAY