Having an extra few hours of sunlight each day during the summer months means you can enjoy your fun in the sun, while still getting work done around the house. This is the perfect time of year to tune into your plumbing system and see if there are any areas that need a little TLC. Here are some recommendations of areas to inspect:
Hoses. While the summer months are usually equated with outside garden hoses, there are also several hoses inside of your home like the hose to the washing machine and the hose to the produce sprayer on your kitchen sink. All hoses – inside and outside of your home – are possible locations for leaks. Even the tiniest leak can cause significant damage. Not only do leaks impede your plumbing from working most efficiently, they also create water damage, which can attract mold and mildew. Make sure to take a look under all cabinets, outside at hoses and hose bibs, and in the laundry room or garage where the washing machine is stored.
Seals. Even if your bathroom is equipped with a pedestal sink, there is still an area around the bottom where it meets the floor that a seal must be added. It is nearly impossible to have any part of your plumbing system that meets the rest of your house where a seal is not needed. Around the bottom of a pedestal sink or toilet and the floor of your home, around the kitchen sink and the countertop, and around the bathtub where it meets the shower wall are all areas that a good seal is needed. Usually caulking is the best choice for creating a seal and this material can dry out and crack and chip away. Checkout the caulking seals in your plumbing areas and replace any pieces that are dry or missing.
Gutters. It is easy to not think of your gutters as part of your plumbing system. After all, they are outside of your home and they are installed on the roof … not really a plumbing thing right? Wrong. Your gutters are key to preventing flooding and water damage to the foundation of your home. In fact, if you have an effective gutter system that is cleaned out and free of clogs then your sump pump could be spared a lot of work this winter.
Being productive and lazy is what summer is all about. Add these tips to your list of things to do and get your plumbing in top working order before winter hits.