Summer is in the air, and everyone is spending more time outside. Do you know what that means? More laundry, more messes, and more water usage. The last thing people usually think about during this fun time of year is plumbing issues. The fact in the matter is, though, that you need to stay ahead of the curve. In today’s post, we’ll tell you what to look out for and how to prevent these common problems from causing trouble. Learn about our summer plumbing tips below. Let’s dive in.
Summer Plumbing Tips To Follow
Check The Water Pressure
Weak water pressure is usually a simple fix, but it’s an annoying problem to have. The best way to prevent weak or overpowered water pressure is to check it regularly with a gauge. When you get a gauge, screw it onto an outdoor spigot and turn on the water. The standard for residential water supplies is 40 to 45 psi. Anything higher than 60 psi is unsafe and needs to be adjusted.
Every home has a pressure regulator that keeps water pressure in check. If the water pressure is too high or low, this is one of the first places you should check. Typically, this regulator is located between the home and the water supply. When adjusting the pressure at the regulator, you should have someone testing the water pressure at a spigot or other fixture. Be sure not to turn the pressure up too high, though, because you risk causing damage to your plumbing system.
Check For Leaks
Winter is gone, and you haven’t been under your house or in the basement for months. Summertime is the best time of year to ensure there aren’t any leaks in your plumbing. Throughout the winter, you don’t know if any damage happened. Once things have warmed up, you will be able to see any new leaks or problems that went unnoticed.
When you’re inspecting pipes, joints, and drains, have someone turn on different fixtures so you can watch the pipes at work. This is the best way to see if you need to address any problems. Be sure to use a powerful flashlight and some paper towels to find any leaks or moisture you won’t otherwise see.
Test Your Sump Pump
A sump pump is a great way to prevent crawlspace and basement flooding. A sump pump is anywhere from $100 to $1,000, but the average price is around $200 to $500. This is reasonable when you consider the alternative—flooding damage.
When you’re ready to test the pump, make sure it’s on. Next, get a hose or container of water and let it flow onto the pump. If everything is good to go, it should kick on and start to remove the water. It’s imperative to make sure your sump pump works in the summer season because of torrential rains and thunderstorms. Homes with a basement or crawlspace that’s any depth below grade need to have a sump pump to deal with possible flooding.
Call The Pros For Routine Maintenance
So, now that you know some summer plumbing tips, we have one more. The best thing you can do to make sure that everything is running great is to get routine maintenance. At Autry Plumbing, we are plumbing experts, so give us a call today to get on the schedule!
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