Talk of summer, and you immediately conjure the urge to go out and have fun. Trips to the beach, hiking, and maybe even a vacation out of town are all part of the summer experience. All these activities are in one way or another synonymous with summer. There’s a problem, though. Amidst all the summer fun and adrenaline rush, your plumbing gets a real workout. That explains why summer usually keeps plumbers busy. Kids are home from school, and plumbing problems escalate. Remember that while many plumbing issues crop up in summer, most can be easily fixed by a homeowner, but don’t shy away from calling your plumber.
Take note of the 5 most common summer plumbing problems and what you can do about them.
Sewer Line Backups
Of all summer plumbing problems you can wake up to, this is by far the most common. There are many reasons why it happens. It could be that something gets flushed down the toilet and gets lodged in the sewer main. Remember our kids are home from school, and a family of four will flush the toilet twenty times a day. That’s some heavy use for your sewer line. It’s also time for barbeques, pool parties, and backyard fun. What all the extra fun, heavy-duty kitchen usage, including the garbage disposal is at an all-time high. Grease and other food scraps can inevitably lead to a clogged sewer line.
Clogged Toilets
As we said, summer is the time for backyard fun and having friends and loved ones over. The average person flushes five times a day. You add to that number when company comes over. Kids are notorious for using too much toilet paper. They need to be reminded not to use too much. Also, avoid flushing things like baby wipes and feminine hygiene products down the toilet. Even with all the precautions, clogged toilets are inevitable, so keep your plunger handy. Only in rare cases will you need to call in a plumber, so it wouldn’t hurt to keep their number handy.
Slow Clearing Shower Drains
After all the fun on the beach with friends and loved ones, nothing is better than a hot shower at the end of the day. Everything gets rinsed down the drain. If your drain is already slow-moving you can expect it to worsen with all the sand and small shells rinsed off your swimsuits. It’s always a good idea to rinse off with a hose before entering your shower. Slow-moving drains are caused by black slime that attaches itself to the drain. It becomes a catch-all for hair and other bathroom products, eventually causing your shower drain to slow. You can remove it by pouring a half cup of baking soda down the drain, then drizzle vinegar over it. Let sit for 15 minutes, then pour a kettle of hot water down the drain. Repeat, if necessary.
Washing Machine Overload
Summer fun can quickly put a sudden strain on your washing machine. The more washing you do, the harder your washing machine has to work. There is a simple solution to this problem. Stick to small laundry loads, which avoids blockages that lead to messy overflows. Remember to inspect the hoses that run to and from your washing machine for kinks or leakages. If possible, shift the washing machine from the wall slightly, which prevents overheating. And at all costs, invest in a drain pan for overflows. They’re less than 30 bucks.
Clogged Garbage Disposal
As mentioned, summer always brings out afternoon barbecue sessions and casual outdoor dining. We look forward to such activities, but they often bring a host of food scraps that should never go down the garbage disposal. Corn cobs, bones, seeds from fruits like nectarines and apricots and melon rinds should not go through a garbage disposal unit. Grease and oil from cooking also clog your disposal system. Here’s an important tip: allow the cold tap to run for at least 10 seconds before and after using your garbage disposal, to avoid blockages.
Point to Note
Don’t let plumbing nightmares ruin your summer holidays. Everything boils down to a little bit of attention and care of your plumbing and sewer systems. Lastly, contact your plumber for support and advice when it comes to plumbing do-it-yourself issues. When you need a plumber Big B’s Plumbing has you covered license #986152.
Thanks for letting me know how grease and other food scraps can lead to a clogged sewer line if I’m not being careful. This part of the article also reminded me how we used to flush and drain everything without being mindful of our pipes. I really think that I shouldn’t wait for problems to happen and hire a plumber immediately.