Summer may be one of the best seasons for you, your friends, and your family, but it is not always a great time for your drains. That’s because, during summer, the drains in your home are most likely to get clogged and suffer all kinds of problems, says Atara Management.
During summer, you will often have more people in your home than at any other time in the year. The kids will not be in school, and they may spend a lot of their time in the yard. This means mud from dirty bodies and clothes will find its way into the drains.
Summer is when you are likely to do a lot of outdoor cooking, with friends and relatives visiting. In addition to having more people using your toilets, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures, oily leftovers can find their way into the drainage system.
Summer heat also takes its toll on drain lines. Higher temperatures can cause soil movements that unavoidably lead to pipe damage. Tree roots are also more active in summer, increasing the risk that tree roots will invade your drainpipes.
What can you do to protect your drains from clogs, leaks, and other problems during summer?
8 essential tips to protect your drains during summer
Check your water pressure
If you’re going to have more people using your plumbing and more dirt flowing into the drains as a result, you want to make sure you have good water pressure. Low water pressure increases the risk that debris will settle inside your drainpipes. If your water pressure is low, get a plumber to check for the cause of the problem.
Inspect your washing machine and dishwasher
Summer is when the water-utilizing appliances in your home will be used most. Because your kids are playing outside most of the time, they are going to need to change their clothes more frequently. Guests may also need to use the washing machine. Your dishwasher will also be a lot busier during this period. Before the onset of summer, it is a good idea to have these appliances inspected and serviced.
Watch out for food waste during BBQs
With all the music, fun, and laughter that comes with having friends and family around, it is easy to lose track of where the resulting food waste ends up. To keep leftovers from being flushed into your drain, you may want to have trash bins located strategically around the yard. Also, ensure that dishes are properly wiped into a bin before being dumped into the sink or dishwasher.
Protect shower and sink drains
You can’t possibly keep an eye on everyone who will use your shower or sink during this period. Visitors and children may not be as careful as you will be. To minimize the risk of debris finding its way into your drains, install strainers on all drain openings. Make sure the strainers are the right size. Don’t forget to take them out for washing at least once a week.
Beware of garden waste
If you love to grow your fruits or vegetables, summer is the perfect season for these activities. But be aware that grass clippings and debris from gardening activities can clog your drains. Whether you’re simply mowing the lawn or tidying up your flower beds, ensure all the waste ends up inside your compost bin and not in your drains.
Have your drains inspected
With increased pressure on the plumbing system, minor drain issues can quickly become major problems. Do not let unexpected drainage problems ruin the summer fun. The last thing you want when you have guests in your home is malfunctioning drains. Get a licensed plumber to do a camera inspection of your drains and sewer line to identify existing issues and fix them before summer fully arrives.
Get a professional drain cleaning
Professional drain cleaning is the best way to get rid of the goo and gunk that has built up inside your drains over the years. Cleaning your drains will remove grease, scale, tree roots, and other debris. It will reduce the risk of pipe damage due to different biochemical processes within the pipes. This is the best step to keep your drains optimally efficient.
Know the signs of impending drain problems
You should know the warning signs that your drains are in trouble. Drainage problems in your home may initially show up as chronic clogs that refuse to go away, multiple drain clogs in the house, bad odors from your drains, gurgling noises from the toilet, and pest invasion of your property. If you see these signs in your home, do not ignore them; get a plumber to investigate the root causes.
Finally, you should partner with a reliable plumber to keep your drains flowing at all times. The plumber you hire should have extensive experience with drainage issues common to your locality. They should specialize in drain maintenance and offer emergency plumbing services. Most importantly, they must have a good reputation locally.