An uptick in activities during summer leads to increased use of plumbing systems. It’s hotter and sunnier outside, so sprinklers run more often. The kids are home from school, so bathrooms get more use — more toilet flushes as well as frequent showers due to sweaty yardwork or days at the pool or beach. Plumbing repairs can eat into your budget for summer fun — every leak repair or rooter service means fewer tickets to baseball games and movies. So to avoid taking a toll on your plumbing this summer, check out these maintenance tips from our plumbers in Ocala, FL.
Check Hoses To Prevent Leaks
What causes a plumbing leak? During the summer, it could be the hose as the heat dries out older rubber hoses, making them brittle and prone to cracking or even breaking. Newer hoses can also leak if they have bad fittings that shake loose. In particular, a common source of summer floods indoors are washing machine hoses.
To inspect the hoses on a washing machine, grab the appliance on its front corners and gently sway it from side to side. Keep scooting it forward until you have several inches of wall clearance. With a flashlight in hand, check the hose for water leaks, and then grab the metal fitting at the base of the washing machine, and lightly jiggle it to make sure it’s snug. If you find an issue, call a plumbing company before you turn on the machine.
To be thorough, you can also inspect other appliances that are connected to the water supply line, including dishwashers and refrigerators with ice makers. Or our plumbers can examine these during routine maintenance.
Drain & Inspect Water Heater
When it’s humid outside, a steamy shower loses some of its appeal. Use that to your advantage and drain the water heater. Draining the tank not only removes any mineral sediments that have built up inside, but it’s also easier to inspect for structural cracks and corrosion.
Two other water heater components to inspect are the anode rod and the heating elements. In gas water heaters, the gas burner may need to be replaced. Doing these minor repairs can boost the unit’s energy efficiency to save you money on utility costs. It may also let you spot warning signs it’s time for a new water heater installation before the old tank bursts and floods your home.
Check Water Pressure
Pressure is the lifeblood of a plumbing system. It moves potable water through the tap and pushes wastewater down the drain. The right amount of pressure makes the plumbing hum like a well-tuned engine. But pressure that is too high or too low can cause issues ranging from weak showers to burst pipes.
Summer vacations are a common form of respite. Before you leave home, though, keep in mind that when plumbing doesn’t get used for an extended period of time, inefficient levels of pressure can build. Poor pressurization then leads to plumbing repairs down the road (and often not that far). Installing a pressure gauge will help you stay on top of whether your pressure is in that sweet spot or needs adjustment. If things get above 65 PSI, it’s time to install a new pressure regulator.
Admittedly, water pressure a technical aspect of plumbing maintenance. If you are overwhelmed by it, call for professional plumbing services.
Invest In A Bathroom Trash Can
A small, 3-gallon trash can looks cute, but what it boasts in attractiveness it loses in utility. In a few days, the can will be full, and human nature being what it is, some people will resort to flushing q-tips, makeup remover wipes, and whatever else down the toilet.
A clogged toilet is bad enough, but flushed garbage can also wreak havoc on septic tanks and sewer systems as well as contribute to the pollution of waterways. Purchase a larger trash bin so you aren’t tempted to flush items that shouldn’t be flushed; doing so may save you tons of cash from avoiding a plumbing emergency.
Sunshine Plumbing and Gas is available to help with your plumbing needs all summer. From preventative maintenance to urgent repairs, our 24-hour plumbers in Ocala can be on the job as fast as necessary. So don’t spoil the summer fun because of a plumbing mishap. Call us today for affordable plumbing services!