Protect Summer Plans with These Three Plumbing Tips

How to Avoid Summer Plumbing Issues

Plumbing issues are no fun at any time of the year. Summer is a time for fun and relaxation and shouldn’t be tarnished by a plumbing disaster. Unfortunately, it’s a reasonably common horror story: a family comes home from vacation only to realize their house is flooded from an overflowing toilet or a burst pipe. 

Luckily, there are things that homeowners can do to lessen the risks that a plumbing issue will put a damper on their plans. Here are some tips from local plumbers that can help prevent plumbing problems over the summer. 

Self-Inspect Plumbing for Leaks

An underappreciated service that most professional plumbers provide is a periodic plumbing inspection. Most plumbing contractors offer this service and recommend it at least every two years to keep an eye out for potential problems. However, for peace of mind during the summer, homeowners should take some time to inspect their plumbing for leaks or cracks. 

When leaks are allowed to go on untreated, several problems can occur. Among these are: 

• Mold growth 
• Wood rot
• Structural problems
• Insect infestation
• Burst pipes
• Floods

Before leaving for vacation, homeowners should either schedule a plumbing inspection or do a quick sweep to look for leaks. That way, they can rest assured that no problems will arise, and they'll save money on water bills by catching and fixing leaks. 

Put Food Waste Where It Belongs

A common misconception about garbage disposals is that they are meant to handle all the food waste in a home. However, garbage disposals aren’t intended to handle food waste or cooking grease from a summer cookout. They are only meant for incidental food waste that gets into the sink while dishes are being rinsed. 

Instead of dumping food scraps and cooking grease down the drain, put it where it belongs. The garbage can is the perfect place to scrape off food scraps and pour out cooled cooking oil and grease. Doing so prevents the chance that the food and grease will coat the inside of drain pipes and form a nasty clog. 

Flush Drains to Prevent Drain Clogs

Even with good cleanup habits, like dumping cooking grease in the garbage, clogs can be inevitable. Before the summer kicks off, try a few DIY drain cleaning techniques to ensure that a drain clog doesn’t ruin summer cookouts. 

First, the easiest way to keep drains clear is to flush them with hot water from time to time. This is especially important in kitchen sinks. Allow hot water to flow down the drain pipes and run the garbage disposal. The hot water can loosen deposits on pipe walls, and the increased water volume flushes debris away. 

Second, try an old plumbing trick. Dump a tablespoon of baking soda down the drain. Pour an equivalent amount of vinegar down the drain after it. The two chemicals will form a foaming cleaner that can break up mild clogs. After this, flush the pipes just like in the method described above. 

About West Plumbing LLC

West Plumbing LLC serves the residents of Chandler, AZ, and the surrounding areas and was named on the “Best of HomeAdvisor” list three years in a row. They provide flat-rate pricing, emergency services, and financing. Call them today for plumbing services in Chandler, AZ.

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