As summer approaches, there's a sense of excitement in the air as we plan vacations, take time off from work for projects or just rev up the energy level to look after the excess kid population that seems to appear in our homes. But summer also brings some challenges, particularly when it comes to your plumbing.
Here are seven of the primary summer plumbing problems you are likely to encounter in your home.
Summer Plumbing Problems
1. Clogged toilet.More kids at home means the toilets get more use than usual, and clogs can be the result. Kids tend to overdo it with toilet paper, so instruct them on how much they can safely use per flush to avoid clogging. Buy easily dissolvable septic-safe paper.
2. Clogged sewer line.Tree roots tend to grow more in the summer, particularly if you're watering the yard more, and they can invade and clog your sewer lines. Schedule a visit from the plumber annually to treat tree roots in sewer lines.
3. Clogged garbage disposal.You may be entertaining more of your kids' friends as well as your own, so there's likely to be more garbage disposal use. Explain that users should run cold water with the disposal and run both for at least 20 seconds. No starchy foods (rice) or fibrous parings (potato skins) allowed.
4. Leaking faucets.You'll be using the hose more, and faucet leaks are a given at some point. Get them repaired right away.
5. Higher water bills. Hotter weather equals higher water use, so make sure you've instituted efficient watering/showering/washing practices in your home. Go low-flow with toilets, faucets and water-using appliances.
6. Irrigation leaks.Your landscaping crew may not be as careful as you'd like, and could damage your sprinkler heads when mowing.
7. Inadequate hot water. More showers in the summer, as well as more hot water use for laundry and dishwashing may reveal you need a bigger water heater.
To discuss your summer plumbing problems, contact Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical of Silicon Valley. We serve South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).