Summer is the time when you should enjoy the sun with your family and friends instead of worrying about which plumber to hire for different plumbing issues that may occur during the hot season! With some extra caution and assistance from a local plumber, you can avoid small plumbing problems turning into water disasters. Here are 5 potential summer plumbing problems you should be aware of this season.
1. Basement Flooding
Summer rainstorms are nothing new for Canadian homeowners. Just like you protect the exterior of your house from heavy rain, it’s important to take precautions to prevent basement flooding. The water saturation from heavy rainfall can easily enter your basement and damage the floor along with the foundation of your home.
Some of the preventive measures you can take to avoid major water damage include installing a sump pump, testing its working condition in the spring, checking whether you have a flood-prone neighbourhood and preparing for a basement flood as per the local governance regulations.
2. Water Sprinkler Damage
Water sprinklers are essential for lawn care to maintain healthy and green lawns during harsh summer months. However, water sprinklers can easily get damaged due to corrosion, overspray, improper fitting, clogs or breaks in the pipes. This can lead to your water sprinkler system not working properly and failing to do its job. Get your sprinkler system checked by a local plumber to avoid the possibility of a burnt brown front yard!
3. Clogged Drains
A clogged drain, be it in the kitchen or the bathroom, is an annoying inconvenience, to say the least. Imagine dealing with a clogged kitchen sink ahead of a big backyard BBQ party or a clogged toilet to fix when you have a busy day of working from home. While you may attempt a DIY fix, sometimes even using hot water and vinegar can’t fix the problem. With some regular maintenance and a local plumber on your speed dial, your clogged drain issues will be resolved before the day ends!
4. Sewer Line Back-Up
Sewer lines are one of the most important plumbing lines of your home. All the wastewater from the washing machine, dishwasher, kitchen sink and bathroom is taken away from your home through sewer lines. Garbage accumulation or obstruction in the sewer line can cause the dirty water to back up into your house. Increased use of showers and washing machines during summer as well as the summer rain storms can clog the sewer lines. To clean the pipeline and avoid the accumulation of dirty water in your sink or bathtub, we recommend you hire a sewer line clean-up company. They will be able to ensure your lines are clear so no wastewater will come back into your home.
5. Washing Machine Maintenance Issues
As summers in Canada are hot and humid, you may have to run multiple loads of laundry during the week. If you have kids who like to play in parks, your washing machine may be working extra hours compared to winter! Clogged washing machine drains or improper water supply are the most common plumbing problems faced by many Canadian homeowners every year. These washing machine maintenance issues can damage your washer’s filters, create water puddles and even damage the dryer’s thermostat. You can figure out how much it may cost you to fix a damaged washing machine or ask a local plumber for a custom quote.
How to Avoid Summer Plumbing Issues
Plumbing issues are unforeseen emergencies that you can prepare for in advance by being extra cautious. Dealing with a broken pipe or clogged sink during a pandemic can be even more difficult. By following some of these easy steps, you can easily avoid major plumbing issues.
- Regular maintenance and cleaning of appliances that require water, sink and garbage disposal
- Avoid overuse of washing machine and dishwasher, do one full load instead of multiple small ones
- Avoid throwing garbage, paper towels or hair bands in the drain or toilet
By regularly cleaning your drainage systems, running maintenance checks with the help of a local plumber and following a cleaner lifestyle, you can avoid expensive plumbing problems during summer. However, if a problem occurs, we recommend you get it fixed on a priority basis to avoid flooding, unpleasant smells and further catastrophic damage.