Seasonal Plumbing Tips for Summer

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  • Check your toilet base for signs of water damage, like rolled vinyl or stains. Straddle over your toilet and rock back and forth on each foot to see if the floor feels spongy. If so, it’s probably rotting or weakened.
  • Check to see how fast the toilet flushes.
  • Check for leaky or loose tiles by pressing on the walls where they come in contact with the bathtub. If the walls are soft, water may have created damage behind the tiles.
  • Provide a trash bin in the bathroom so the toilet isn’t used as a garbage can. Never flush cotton swabs, cotton balls, hair, facial scrub pads, diapers, sanitary products or similar items down the toilet. These items will not easily dissolve and are responsible for most clogs.
  • Turn on water in bathtub and in the kitchen sink. If there is a noticeable reduction in water volume, the piping in the house may need to be replaced because of calcium and mineral deposits restricting water flow.
  • Sewer line backups are common this time of year due to summer rainwater entering sewer pipes via cracks. If you suspect that there may be a problem with your sewer line, call Clear Drain to come do a camera inspection of your lines. This will help you determine the best treatment option for proper drain cleaning or if a repair/replacement is required.
  • Sewer lines can often become obstructed during the summer months as tree’s root systems are in growth mode, and may be drawn toward the sewer line as a source of water and nutrients. Have your sewer lines expected early in the summer to see if you are at any risk.
  • You can often save on your energy bills by turning down the temperature on your water heater, since you will likely not be taking many hot showers anyway.
  • Be careful what you put down your kitchen disposal after your cookout. Most are not equipped to handle cornhusks, celery, banana peels and other fibrous or “stringy” foods. Some other items to stay away from are fats or cooking oils because they form clots in the pipes. Run cold water at full pressure for 15 seconds before and after you put anything down the disposal to flush it through. Never put instant stuffing, potato mixes or similar “just-add-water” foods down the drain—they’ll create an instant clog when you add water.
  • Monitor washing machine hoses for bulges, cracks, or leaks, and make sure the machine is at least 4’’ from the wall to prevent the hose from kinking. Turn valves on and off to test for leaks. Replace hoses after three years of use.