Summer not only brings warmer weather and a host of outdoor activities, but it can also bring unique challenges to the plumbing systems in your home. From water conservation to weekly checks of faucets and pipes, there are plenty of things for the whole family to do to ensure that the plumbing in your home stays in good shape all summer. Following these summer plumbing tips ensures you and your family enjoy a hassle-free summer with minimal to no plumbing issues.

Be Mindful of Water Usage

Being mindful of water usage is crucial to ensure that your water bill is as low as possible. The whole family can play a significant role in conserving water by adopting simple and effective practices. Encouraging shorter showers, turning off the water faucet while brushing teeth and doing dishes, and fixing leaky pipes or fixtures right away are all great ways to conserve water. You can also consider the installation of low-flow showerheads as well as faucet aerators to reduce water consumption in your home. Engage children in water-saving habits by teaching them the importance of conservation while they are young, and these habits should stick through the years. By working as a family, everyone can have a positive impact on water conservation efforts.

Check Outdoor Faucets and Hoses

Checking outdoor faucets and hoses for leaks is a summer plumbing task your whole family can do. You can assign each member a specific outdoor faucet or hose to inspect every time they go outside. Start by turning on the faucet and observing if there are any visible leaks around the connection points or along the hose. Encourage everyone to listen for hissing sounds that could be a hidden leak. Additionally, ask each family member to feel the hose for any moisture or dampness that could be a leak. Involving the family in this simple inspection ensures the outdoor faucets and hoses are in proper working condition. Checking hoses and outdoor faucets can prevent water waste and potential property damage.

Avoid Overloading Garbage Disposal

Overloading the garbage disposal is a common issue that can cause clogs and damage. It is essential to educate your whole family about what can and cannot go down the disposal. Encourage everyone to scrape food scraps into the trash and avoid disposing of fibrous or hard materials like eggshells, bones, and potato peels into the garbage disposal. Another helpful tip is to cut large items into smaller pieces before disposing them. By following these guidelines, you and your family can prevent clogs and extend the lifespan of your garbage disposal.

Be Cautious of Grease and Oil

Proper disposal of grease and oil is crucial for maintaining healthy plumbing in your home. Reminding the whole family to avoid pouring grease and oil down the sink or toilet is a great way to ensure that the pipes in your plumbing system don’t start to get clogged. Instead, let the grease and oil cool and solidify before disposing of them in the trash can. Use containers or jars to collect grease for easy disposal so that it doesn’t leak and cause a mess in the trash.

Practice Proper Toilet Usage

Practicing proper toilet usage is important for maintaining a functional plumbing system over the summer. The whole family can actively participate in preserving the integrity of the toilets in your home. Encourage everyone in your home to avoid flushing items other than toilet paper, such as wipes or sanitary products, because they can cause clogs. Teaching children about responsible flushing habits and reminding them to use appropriate amounts of toilet paper can prevent blockages. Additionally, encourage family members to report any toilet issues right away so that you can have them addressed.

Watch for Leaks

A great way to involve your family in taking care of your home is to teach them how to watch for plumbing leaks. Encourage everyone to keep an eye out for signs of water leaks, such as damp spots around pipes, dripping sounds, water around the toilet, water on the floor near appliances, or unusually high-water bills. Teach them to check under sinks and to make a point of looking at exposed pipes to ensure they don’t have condensation or signs of leaks under them or along the walls.

Be Mindful of Water Pressure

Water pressure is an essential aspect of making sure that a plumbing system is healthy. Talk to everyone in your home about the water pressure and show them how it is supposed to be by turning on the shower and other faucets. Then, let them know if there are any changes that are different than what you’ve shown them, that they should report them to you. Doing this can help you keep an eye on the system and quickly detect any leaks or water issues.

Keep Drains Covered

Keeping drains covered is a great way to help prevent clogs in your plumbing system. Do this by placing drain covers or screens over the drains. Then, get the whole family together and talk about why the covers or screens are in place. Make sure you talk about how only water should go down the drain and that the screens are in place to catch things that could create clogs. You and your family should also regularly clean and remove any accumulated debris from the drains, such as hair, for maximum effectiveness.

Proper Disposal of Outdoor Waste

Proper disposal of outdoor waste is critical for maintaining a healthy plumbing system for your home. Getting your family to participate in outdoor waste management is very easy. Ask everyone to bag grass clippings, leaves, and other yard waste separately and dispose of them in green waste bins or compost piles. Let your family know that dumping these materials down a drain or storm drain can cause clogs and contribute to water issues.

Pest Control

Pests such as rats, mice, and insects can wreak havoc on pipes and drainage systems. Ask your whole family to participate in pest control efforts by ensuring that they help keep the home clean, report cracks in pipes or the foundation of your home, and use proper waste disposal habits. Let your family know that knowing about any pests you may have right away will help you take care of the issue so that it doesn’t become a larger problem.

Vacation Preparations

Vacations are a great time to relax and unwind during the summer months. It is important not to overlook the impact that a vacation can have on your plumbing system. Before leaving for your getaway, take a few moments to talk to your family about preparing your plumbing and protecting against potential issues while you are gone. Shutting off the main water supply or installing an automatic shut-off valve can prevent leaks or water damage in your absence. Encourage the whole family to participate by turning off faucets tightly, checking for leaks, and checking appliances like washing machines to make sure they are off.

Contact Us Today!

At Plumbtree Plumbing & Rooter in San Jose, California, we provide sewer service, water service, and plumbing fixtures for your home. Our knowledgeable team also provides gas line services, water heaters, and emergency services for plumbing and gas lines in your home. Contact Plumbtree Plumbing & Rooter for more information today!

Josh Gibson

Hi, I’m Josh. I’ve been around plumbing my whole life. When I was 5-6 years old my family built a home where I did a lot of the sanding of copper pipe and definitely some playing in the mud. Plumbing is a major part of my family as I am a fourth-generation plumber. The skills I bring to the job are a good technical knowledge of plumbing and code requirements. I am often complimented on my hands-on problem-solving skills.
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