Get Your Home Summer-Ready: Essential Plumbing Prep
As the Southern California sun truly settles in for July 2025, your home’s plumbing system is about to face its busiest season. From increased water usage for gardening and cooling to potential summer storms, proactive maintenance is key to avoiding inconvenient and costly plumbing emergencies. Taking a few simple steps now can ensure your home runs smoothly all summer long.
Here are vital tips on drain care, outdoor hose checks, and leak prevention to help you prepare:
1. Master Your Drain Care
Summer often brings more activity, which means more potential for drain issues.
- Kitchen Drains: The Grease Trap Battle: Summer BBQs and outdoor meals often mean more cooking fats. Never pour grease down the drain. It solidifies and creates stubborn clogs. Scrape plates into the trash before rinsing. Consider a drain screen for your sink to catch food particles.
- Bathroom Drains: Hair and “Flushables”: With more showers and baths, hair can accumulate. Use drain covers in showers to catch hair. And a crucial reminder: even if they claim to be “flushable,” wipes, paper towels, and hygiene products do not break down like toilet paper and are a leading cause of major sewer line blockages. Stick to flushing only toilet paper and human waste.
- Utility & Outdoor Drains: If you’re washing off muddy shoes from a hike or gardening tools, do it outside or in a utility sink equipped with a trap. Ensure any outdoor drains or catch basins on your property are clear of leaves, dirt, and debris to prevent pooling water during an unexpected summer shower.
2. Outdoor Hose and Spigot Savvy
Your outdoor watering system works overtime in the summer. A little inspection goes a long way.
- Check for Leaks and Drips: Turn on all your outdoor spigots (hose bibs) and visually inspect them and any attached hoses for drips, leaks, or visible damage. Even a small drip can waste hundreds of gallons of water over the season and contribute to a higher water bill.
- Hose Condition: Look for cracks, bulges, or kinks in your garden hoses. A damaged hose can burst under pressure, leading to water waste and a surprise gush when you least expect it. Replace any worn-out hoses.
- Sprinkler System Audit: If you have an automated sprinkler system, run each zone briefly. Look for broken or misaligned sprinkler heads that are spraying sidewalks or fences instead of your lawn. Check for soggy spots in your yard when the system isn’t running, which could indicate an underground leak. Adjust timers for efficient watering, typically early morning in San Juan Capistrano to minimize evaporation.
3. Leak Prevention: The Invisible Threat
Minor leaks can escalate into major problems, especially with increased water use.
- The Toilet Dye Test: This simple test can reveal silent leaks in your toilet. Add a few drops of food coloring to your toilet tank. Wait 15-20 minutes without flushing. If the colored water appears in the bowl, you have a leak that needs attention.
- Under-Sink Surveillance: Regularly check under all sinks (kitchen, bathroom, utility) for any signs of moisture, water stains, or a musty odor. This can indicate a slow leak that might otherwise go unnoticed until it causes significant damage.
- Water Heater Inspection: Your water heater works harder in summer. Look for any signs of leaks around the base of the tank or connections. Consider flushing a few gallons from the bottom drain valve to remove sediment buildup, which can improve efficiency and extend its lifespan. (If you’re unsure how to do this, it’s best to consult a professional.)
- Monitor Your Water Bill: A sudden, unexplained spike in your water bill is often the first sign of a hidden leak somewhere in your system. If you notice an increase without a change in usage habits, it’s time to investigate.
4. Sump Pump Readiness (If Applicable)
Summer can bring unexpected heavy downpours. If your home has a basement or crawl space with a sump pump, ensure it’s ready.
- Test it Out: Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit. The pump should activate quickly, discharge the water, and then shut off.
- Clear the Pit: Remove any debris, dirt, or foreign objects from the sump pit that could interfere with the pump’s float switch.
By dedicating a little time now to these plumbing preparations, you can significantly reduce the risk of common summer plumbing issues. Enjoy the beautiful summer weather knowing your home’s essential systems are well-cared for! If you do encounter any plumbing problems, don’t hesitate to contact a local professional. Mr. Rooter Plumbing, Orange County, your trusted plumbing professionals, 949.371.2025