Prepare for Summer Plumbing Problems

Ways to Avoid Common Summer Plumbing Problems

Ah, there’s nothing better than summer in Washington! And while the warmer months out of the year bring barbeques, trips to the beach, and weekend getaways, they also heighten the chance of common summer plumbing problems from occurring in your home.

If you’re looking to have a worry-free summer in terms of your home’s plumbing, here are some quick tips to consider.

Be Gentle With Your Garbage Disposal

If you happen to have a garbage disposal in your home, you’ll know that there’s no greater joy — since this little gadget can help make a big impact in your day-to-day life; however, while it appears as if this device can “consume” just about anything — that couldn’t be further from the truth.

As it turns out, there is a laundry list of things that you should never feed your disposal — such as:

• Coffee grounds

• Eggshells

• Fruit pits

• Chicken and steak bones

• Stringy, starchy foods

• Potato peels

• Nuts, seeds, and more

However, if you’ve “fed” one of these items to your disposal while trying to prepare for your backyard barbeque, no need to worry — make sure to turn off the device and contact your trusted, professional plumber right away!

Keep Sand and Dirt Out of Your Drains

Always make a conscious effort to keep sand and dirt out of your drains. While these earthly materials won’t necessarily damage your plumbing pipes, they can create some pretty severe blockages. As a result, those obstructions can take a toll on your home’s plumbing system and can lead to a plumbing-induced nightmare down the road.

In a conscious effort to make sure this doesn’t happen to you, it’s best to clean away any excess dirt or sand you may have accumulated on yourself outside of your home. Then, once you’ve got a good majority off, you can enter and shower.

Of course, if you’re looking to take things a step further, you can even consider having an outdoor shower installed!

Don’t Overload Your Washing Machine

In the summertime, there’s a chance you’ll be doing much more laundry than before — after all, it’s a season of multiple wardrobe changes and ketchup stains! And while your washing machine might seem as if it can handle a heap of dirty laundry, guess again: it can’t.

Putting strain on your washing machine can not only throw the appliance’s drum out of alignment, but it cannot do a thorough cleaning, as well as clog the rubber drain tube — amongst other things.

To help lessen this from happening, make sure you’re only filling up your washing machine halfway. Additionally, make sure to pull your appliance away from the wall every so often — to make sure that the hoses aren’t kinking.

However, if you notice that you’ve already run into a plumbing issue with your most important appliance, help is only a click away.

Make a Conscious Effort to Conserve Water

While water seems to be everflowing during the summer, there’s a chance you could be using much more than you need. For instance, if you’re looking to water your lawn, make sure you’re watering it at night — or during the least-sunniest parts of the day.

Unfortunately, many homeowners have their sprinklers run during the day — which doesn’t help your lawn; the sun’s rays evaporate the water and don’t give the soil the chance to absorb that precious H2O.

Another thing to consider: make some eco-friendly plumbing upgrades around your home! From low-flow toilets to low-flow showerheads, there is an abundance of water-saving fixtures that will not only save you money in the long run but they’ll help cut back on your water waste — which is a win-win for any homeowner!

Professional Seattle-Area Plumbing Solutions at Affordable Rates

Since 1973, The Plumbing Joint Inc. has been Renton and the surrounding areas’ go-to plumbing company. Our team is well-versed in plumbing and can help all property owners — from residential to commercial.

Give us a call today at (425) 228-3204 or visit our website to schedule an appointment!