Summertime is quickly approaching, and if you’re anything like us, you’re counting down these final days until warm weather, cookouts, pool parties and vacations fill your calendar. But nothing can bring these plans down faster than plumbing issues. While you might be ready for some much-needed R&R this summer, your pipes may have other ideas.
Want to get ahead of the curve—er—elbow fitting? Here are four of the most common plumbing problems homeowners face in the summer months, and how you can prevent them.
Clogged Toilets
School’s out for summer, and that means more toilet flushes than any other part of the year now that everyone is home. There’s nothing worse than dealing with a clogged toilet when the whole family is lined up and waiting for their turn outside the bathroom door, but luckily, prevention for this problem is pretty straightforward. First, if you have little ones, make sure they’re clear on what does—and doesn’t—go in the toilet, namely, no toys, no food, no enormous wads of toilet paper…you get the idea. It seems a little silly, but you won’t be laughing if you get stuck trying to plunge LEGO pieces out of the toilet. Speaking of plunging, you’ll want to keep a good, strong plunger on hand, as most clogging issues can be solved without calling in the professionals. However, if you find yourself dealing with a particularly stubborn clog, be sure to reach out to a plumber.
Basement Flooding
There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a summer rainstorm to cut the heat, clear the air and water the lawn. But, as too many of us have learned the hard way, rain has a sneaky tendency of getting into the worst possible places, namely, basements. If your basement floods, cleanup and repairs can turn into a costly nightmare. Be sure to check your sump pumps regularly, especially after the winter months, to ensure they’re in good working order. If you have any concerns at all, call a professional to come out and have a look.
Clogged Garbage Disposals
Summer is the best time for garden-fresh fruits and veggies. But more fresh produce means that your garbage disposal is working overtime and is at a greater risk of clogging or breaking entirely. Although not quite as dire of a situation as a clogged toilet, a backed-up garbage disposal is a stinky nuisance. Prevention is pretty straightforward: First, know what your disposal can handle. Soft food products are generally fine, but rinds, pits, corn husks, grease and bones should never make it down your disposal. Next, be sure you run the water for at least ten seconds both before and after turning on your garbage disposal. Finally, consider alternatives, like composting, to cut down on overuse.
Slow Shower Drains
In the summer, showers tend to see a lot more traffic, and with sandy swimsuits, there is definitely a greater risk of finding water pooling around your feet as you wash. When you come back from the beach, put your swimsuits in a bucket and rinse them off with the garden hose to get the sand out. Also, use a hair-catcher in your shower drain and be sure to clear it regularly.
Be Summer Ready
At Faulstick Plumbing, we specialize in installs, repairs, and inspections for all of your well, water, and plumbing needs. Our family-owned and operated business has built a reputation as the best-doing things the right way with the customer in mind, every time. Give us a call at 570-992-0447 to discuss your needs today!
