Summer is a time for sun, fun, and relaxation! But as a homeowner, it’s still important to be aware of any potential issues that may surface with your plumbing system. After all, with the increased water usage, warmer temperatures, and the potential of having family and friends visiting this time of year, the possibility of a plumbing problem occurring is maximized. Because of this, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and keep a watchful eye out for potential problems as well as understand how to handle them if one should happen to arise. Join your Lancaster Plumbing & Drain professionals as we dive into all the details of the most common summer plumbing problems.
OUTDOOR COMMON SUMMER PLUMBING PROBLEMS
1. OUTDOOR FAUCETS, SPRINKLERS, & HOSE PROBLEMS – Let’s talk about common outdoor plumbing problems first. After all, a big part of summer is enjoying the outdoors, right? Outdoor plumbing fixtures, such as faucets, sprinklers, and hoses, have the tendency to stir up trouble in the summertime – especially if they have put in their fair share of use over the years. With the intense summer heat and the rise in water usage, small undetected, and unresolved issues can lead to underground pipes bursting or leading to flooding in your yard or basement.
To prevent these large disasters from occurring, make it a habit to regularly check your hoses, sprinklers, fixtures, and faucets every now and then for visible damage or unwelcome leaks. If you find any, you’ll want to replace or fix these parts as soon as you discover them. Letting a minor issue go unresolved for an extended duration will result in larger issues manifesting, and you will be stuck with a larger, more chaotic plumbing problem in the long run. Don’t forget to leave the larger issues to the big dogs (AKA a licensed professional).
2. SEWER LINE BACKUP PROBLEMS – Next, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty – sewage! Unfortunately, sewer lines are prone to becoming clogged in the summer season. This is a result of the increased usage as well as other factors. Of course, this is never an ideal situation to deal with. So, if you suspect your sewage line may be having some issues, some signs to watch out for are foul smells, gurgling noises, clogged drains or toilets, as well as backup. If you are suspicious of your sewage line acting up, or perhaps you have identified one of these issues for yourself, please do not hesitate to give us a call. Let us handle all the “dirty work” for you as we get everything back into working order.
INDOOR COMMON SUMMER PLUMBING PROBLEMS
1. LEAKY FAUCET PROBLEMS – Leaky faucets can be so frustrating! More often than not, a leaking faucet is allowed to go on leaking for much longer than it should. However, letting a leaking faucet continue is a waste of water and will increase your water consumption; it can also evolve into significant issues down the road. So, tackling it now is the most optimal thing to do. Usually, a leaking faucet can be fixed by tightening the fixture back up or replacing the washer. On some occasions, you may need to replace the faucet fixture altogether. Just be sure to stay proactive and get it fixed on the first signs of seeing that unwelcome drip. And if you have had one that has been dripping for some time now, no judgment. But let’s get to it, and feel free to reach out if you are having any issues.
2. CLOGGED TOILET PROBLEMS – The temperature change and raised humidity levels during the summertime can cause rusting, corrosion, and even mineral buildup on your drain lines, which ultimately leads to clogged toilets. This is a more common occurrence in older plumbing systems. These types of clogs are complicated to take care of, so please call a professional if this is something you are dealing with. Serious clogs like this can cause broken pipes due to the buildup of pressure.
In addition, the summer is usually when school-aged kids are home, which can automatically increase water usage in the daytime. Because of this, it’s good to be proactive and inspect your toilets for cracks or leaks. Costly repairs because of a lingering issue that turned into a larger one are never fun!
3. LOW-WATER PRESSURE PROBLEMS – Low water pressure is another common issue that tends to happen around this season. This happens for various reasons, but usually, it’s because of changes in the regional water levels or due to mineral buildup within your pipes. If you are experiencing low water pressure, you should call a professional plumber as soon as you are able to.
4. WATER HEATER PROBLEMS – Hot water is just as essential in the summer as it is in the winter. So, if you are experiencing problems with your water temperature being only lukewarm or not heating up at all, the issue may lie within your water heater. Sometimes, when it’s especially hot, the summer temps can strain your water heater, causing cracks or other damage. Another possibility could be due to sediment buildup, so it’s quite possible that your water heater just needs to be flushed. Whatever the case, feel free to give us a call, and we’d be happy to come and diagnose the issue for you and get your hot water back up and running once again.
5. WASHING MACHINE PROBLEMS – Your washing machine is not to be left out on this list. Washing machines can experience various summer problems this time of the year. These problems include but are not limited to clogged pipes or hoses, corrosion, and broken seals, which lead to undesirable system problems and create wear and tear. So, it’s a good idea is to include your washing machine along with your other regular inspections as you keep an eye out for leaks, corrosion, or other types of damage.
6. DISHWASHER AND GARBAGE DISPOSAL PROBLEMS – With the increase in possible household gatherings around this time of the year, ensure you are still only pouring drain-safe foods into your garbage disposal. Sometimes, with the hustle and bustle of things, it can be tempting just to drop something into the kitchen sink. But trust us. A clogged garbage disposal and the kitchen sink are not something you want to mess around with. Things like grease and starchy foods are not something you ever want to pour down your drain and into the disposal. On top of that, try not to overload your dishwasher either. When a dishwasher is overloaded, it can lead to food and other particles clogging up the system. Properly disposing of your food and not overloading your dishwasher will help to keep everything working adequately all summer long.
Here at Lancaster Plumbing & Drain, we strive to provide five-star quality customer service on every job, every time. Our passion is to provide our valued customers with an exceptional customer experience and exceed their expectations regarding our workmanship.
We want nothing more than for you to experience a stress-free summer as much as possible. And regarding your plumbing system, we can confidently say we’ve got you covered for all your plumbing needs and concerns! Call Lancaster Plumbing & Drain today (740) 796-8998, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!