The first day of summer is right around the corner and that means pulling the grill out of the garage for cookouts and setting up the slip and slide! But, it also means more wear and tear on your plumbing system. Extra water usage in the summer is normal because water means cooling off in the hot sun. But, this extra volume of water usage also means that your plumbing system has to work even harder than normal.
Here are some steps that you can take to ensure that you have a fun summer – without putting too much strain on your plumbing:
Cooking outdoors is great in the summer. Barbequing is a quick and easy way to make an impressive meal without having to use your oven. But, prepping and cleaning up the meal can’t always be done outside and that means having to use your kitchen – and your garbage disposal. The disposal is a very helpful appliance when it is working. But, if there is a clog in the disposal this often means not being able to use the dishwasher as they likely share the same drain. As you are cleaning up after your outdoor cookout make sure to be thoughtful about what you are putting down the garbage disposal.
Another fun summer activity is camping. But, this also means extra laundry that might have sand, rocks, and debris in it. These things can be very harsh on your washing machine and cause significant damage. Make sure to shake out all of your laundry before adding it to the washing machine. Check the back of the washer for cracks or bulges in the hoses. If there are any leaks or drips around the hose connectors have these repaired as quickly as possible.
During the winter months when the environment that your water heater sits in is freezing cold, it is necessary to have the temperature of your water heater be set a little bit higher. But, in the summer months the environment is warmer and therefore your water heater doesn’t need to work as hard to keep the water heated. Turn the thermostat on your water heater down a little bit during the summer to save your water heater the wear and tear.
After a long cold winter and a busy spring it is finally time to get some R & R and enjoy the summer sun. Follow these simple steps to ensure that you are protecting your plumbing from a breakdown – but, still enjoying yourself!