As summer temperatures rise in Kingman, Arizona, so does your home’s water consumption. If your plumbing system wasn’t already in great shape, increased demand over the summer can lead to major problems. Beat common late-summer plumbing issues by following these five tips.
Keep the Toilet Up and Running
When the kids are home for the summer, your home is bound to experience more wear and tear than normal. That especially holds true for the toilet, which could go from a few flushes per day to over a dozen each day.
Keep this important fixture functional by keeping an eye out for a running toilet. While constant running might mean something simple like a faulty flapper, it could also be the sign of a bigger problem.
With all the added bathroom traffic over the summer, you’ll also want to look out for clogs. Help kids select an appropriately small amount of toilet paper, and remind them that they shouldn’t try to flush toys or other objects. For help with clearing a major clog, don’t hesitate to call the plumbing experts at Plumbing By Jake.
Maintain the Washing Machine
With baseball games, swimming sessions, and day camp on the schedule, most Kingman families are no strangers to extra sweat, dirt, and chlorine during the summer months. After awhile, though, all that dirty laundry can really take a toll on your washing machine.
If you can work it into your schedule, try to do all washing and drying late in the evening or early in the morning. When you do the laundry during cooler times of the day, you won’t create as much indoor heat or stress for your air conditioner. Even running the dryer can seriously increase the humidity level in your home, which can overload your cooling system on a hot day.
To make sure you don’t overwork the washing machine or dryer, make an effort to run both only when you’re home to monitor them. Check the washer periodically for bulging or cracked hoses, and clean the dryer’s lint trap after every load.
Make Use of the Dishwasher
From midday lunches to mid-afternoon snacks, having kids home for the summer means lots of extra dishes. To keep the mess under control, you might be tempted to hand-wash smaller loads of dishes throughout the day. After all, how much water could that possibly waste?
As it turns out, using an Energy Star dishwasher can help you save hundreds of dollars and 5,000 gallons of water per year. You’ll take a load off your home’s plumbing system and save yourself plenty of pocket change by consolidating all of those dishes into one large load in the dishwasher.
Take Care of the Garbage Disposal
Along with the kitchen sink, the garbage disposal often sees much more use during the summer months. Whether you’re just feeding the kids during the day or you’re hosting a cookout for the entire extended family, don’t throw just anything into the garbage disposal. Most disposals are designed to handle scraps and small bits of food. When you toss cornhusks from that summer party or banana peels from the kids’ snack down the drain, however, the disposal is much more likely to break down.
Pouring grease and oil down the drain can also lead to clogs and other plumbing problems. Try running a little extra water down the drain to wash down small amounts of oil, or give our knowledgeable plumbers a call to tackle a bigger problem.
Check for Leaks and Standing Water
Higher usage can cause an already stressed plumbing system to break down. It’s always a good idea to be aware of leaks in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. During the summer, you might be able to stop plumbing problems before they escalate by keeping an eye out for leaks and standing water.
After all, leaks do more than just compromise the plumbing in your home. They can also lead to water damage and insect infestations or point to significant HVAC issues, which are all problems you’ll want to avoid no matter the season.
Do any of these common plumbing issues sound familiar? Don’t wait another minute to call the professional plumbers at Plumbing By Jake: 928-377-5910.
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