Picture this: It’s the hottest day of summer, your kids are home from school, and suddenly your toilet won’t stop running while your water pressure drops to a trickle. Don’t let plumbing problems ruin your summer fun!
Summer in the Quad Cities means more than just hot, humid days and evening thunderstorms rolling in from the west. With kids out of school, backyard barbecues, and everyone spending more time at home, your plumbing system works overtime. More showers, more laundry, more dishes, and don’t forget about watering the garden and filling up the kiddie pool. All this extra activity can put serious stress on your pipes and fixtures.
The good news? A little summer maintenance can save you from emergency plumber calls when you’d rather be enjoying a cold drink on the porch. Here are five simple tips to keep your plumbing running smoothly throughout the entire season.
1. Hunt Down Hidden Leaks Before They Hunt Down Your Wallet
Summer is leak-hunting season. After a long Midwest winter, pipes and fixtures can develop problems that aren’t immediately apparent. A single dripping faucet might seem harmless, but it can waste over 1,600 gallons of water per year. That’s money down the drain!!
What to do: Walk through your home with a flashlight and inspect every faucet, pipe under sinks, shower head, and outdoor spigot. Look for rust, water stains, or damp spots. Don’t forget to check behind your refrigerator’s water line and around your water heater.
Pro tip: Can’t find a leak but suspect one? Turn off all water in your house for an hour, then check your water meter. If the numbers changed, you’ve got a hidden leak somewhere.
2. Give Your Water Heater Some Summer Love
Your water heater works hard year-round, but summer is the perfect time to show it some attention. Heat and humidity can reveal problems you missed during winter, and you want to catch issues before the next cold snap hits.
What to do: Inspect the base of your water heater for signs of water, rust, or corrosion. Run your hand around the bottom to feel for moisture. If you’re constantly running out of hot water during busy summer months, it might be time to consider an upgrade.
Money-saving bonus: Going on vacation? Turn down your water heater or switch it to “vacation mode.” Why pay to heat water when you’re not home to use it?
3. Test Your Water Pressure (Your Shower Will Thank You)
Nothing ruins a post-yard-work shower like weak water pressure. With all the extra summer activity (lawn sprinklers, car washing, pool filling), your water pressure can take a hit.
What to do: Buy a simple pressure gauge from your local hardware store and attach it to an outdoor spigot. Good water pressure should be between 40-60 PSI. If it’s too low, contact your water company to determine if there are any ongoing work projects in your area.
Quick test: Turn on your kitchen faucet and bathtub at the same time. If one runs noticeably slower, you might have a pressure problem.
4. Keep Your Garbage Disposal Happy with Summer Produce
Summer means fresh corn, juicy watermelons, and backyard barbecues. However, not everything good for you is good for your garbage disposal. Some foods can clog your pipes faster than you can say “sweet corn festival.”
What to avoid: Corn husks, watermelon rinds, celery, banana peels, and any grease or oil from your grill. These items can wrap around the blades or stick to your pipes.
What to do instead: Keep a small container by your sink for compost items. Run cold water for 15 seconds before and after using your disposal. If it starts to smell, grind some lemon peels with cold water and a drop of dish soap. For serious clogs, you might need professional drain cleaning.
5. Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Is Located
This might be the most important tip of all. Whether you’re dealing with a burst pipe, an overflowing toilet, or heading out for a week-long vacation, knowing how to turn off your main water supply can save you thousands of dollars in damage.
What to do: Find your main shutoff valve. It’s usually near where the water line enters your house, in the basement, garage, or sometimes outside near the street. It typically resembles a wheel that you turn clockwise or a lever that you turn perpendicular to the pipe.
Test it: Turn it off and try running water somewhere in your house. If no water comes out, you have found the right valve.
Don’t Let Summer Plumbing Problems Dampen Your Fun
The Quad Cities’ hot, humid summers are perfect for backyard fun, not plumbing emergencies. These five simple checks can help you avoid the headache and expense of major plumbing problems, allowing you to enjoy the season instead.
Remember, some problems are best left to the professionals. If you discover issues beyond basic maintenance, don’t hesitate to call TMI for professional plumbing repairs. We’ve been keeping Quad Cities homes comfortable for years, and we’re here to help you enjoy your summer worry-free.
Ready to tackle your summer plumbing needs? Call us at 563.900.8788 or schedule service online.