As we approach warmer temperatures it becomes easier to take on home projects. You have plenty of daylight hours to look over any parts of your plumbing system that are located outside of your home! It’s critical that you keep your plumbing well maintained year-round, but even more so during summer months while your kids and family may be home more often! Using lots of water and flushing your toilet too often increases your risk for plumbing issues. Here are five tips to make sure your home plumbing system is prepared for summer.

Prepare for Clogs

Every home needs a plunger to take care of routine clogs. Plungers are inexpensive and can be stored in a linen closet or basement. The worst time to need a plunger is when you don’t have one and have to run to the hardware store to get one. Plungers can handle most normal clogs. If not, it’s time to call the plumber. If you need, our plumbers at All State Plumbing and Heating offer the best drain cleaning services in the Greater Danbury area!

Take Care of Your Drains

Don’t just dump everything down the drain! Even the best kitchen garbage disposal can’t process every type of food waste. Plastic or mesh drain covers can save you massive headaches. A common issue in Fairfield county is hair buildup from shaving or loose hairs falling out. Shower drains usually are the source of most clogs due to hair, but you can also buy drain filters for the tub and sink to easily prevent this. If you have kids, help them understand how much toilet paper to use, and what things don’t go in the toilet. Just because the package says it’s safe to be flushed doesn’t mean you can flush a huge clump of toilet paper! If you need professional drain cleaning service, then give our emergency plumber a call!

Inspect for Leaks

Summer is the best time to check for leaks. It’s important to take care of any leaks that may have occurred over the winter. Start outside of your house and inspect water spigots. Inside, look carefully at faucets, showerheads, and pipes under sinks. Pay attention to rust on pipes and evidence of moisture inside cabinets. Check toilets for leaks. Some issues with toilets can be easily fixed but if you’re not confident in your plumbing skills, call a professional.

Check the Hot Water Heater

Just because it’s warm outside doesn’t mean you’ll stop using your hot water heater! Usually, they can last between 10 and 15 years, so it’s important to check on them and inspect them to ensure they are in good working condition. If you can’t tell, give one of our plumbers a call today!

Check Your Sump Pump

Summer not only brings warm-weather fun, but it also brings summer storms. You should test your sump pump at the beginning of summer, or prior to the rainy season. It’s easy to run a test of the sump pump. Make sure it’s turned on and has power, then pour a bucket of water in it. If it’s working properly, the pump should begin working and pumping the water. Most new homes, especially in flood-prone areas, have a sump pump installed during the building process. If you don’t have one, and any part of your home is below ground level, consider installing one. Your plumber can install one in a short amount of time and the cost is usually around $300-500. It’s a good and necessary investment to protect your home from flood damage.

These are just some of the most basic tips we can give you to ensure your home’s plumbing system is running smoothly for the summer. If you would like to have a full inspection give our plumbers at All State Plumbing and Heating a call today!