Taking care of your plumbing system is essential in order to keep the water in your house flowing smoothly
In addition, you can save money on your water bill
A lot of these tips are taken from B Wilson Plumbing, who explain that plumbing maintenance should be based on regular – weekly, monthly, seasonal – checks to detect any tiny issues before they evolve into a big and costly problems.
I’ve created this summer plumbing maintenance checklist so that you can check if everything is working correctly already today and avoid expensive repairs in the future.
Below, you will find seven essential tasks and tips, ranging from checking for leaks, inspecting sprinkler systems, and dealing with clogs to checking garden water features and performing pool plumbing maintenance, among other things.
Read on and make sure everything runs smoothly!
Check for Leaks
One of the most significant sources of water waste is undetected leaks in your home. Old and rusty pipes are most commonly responsible for this, but you should also check if there’s any damage to your walls or appliances since they might be the cause.
In order to inspect for leaks and identify their source, you can use a leak detection solution, such as a soap solution or even food colouring. If you suspect a leak, check your water meter for any changes in the reading. If one or more of your toilets, taps, or other appliances are leaking, replace the old parts immediately.
Sometimes the pipework is concealed behind walls, which makes life a lot harder. You can use a small camera and create a tiny inspection hatch in an out of sight area. One example would be to put such a hatch underneath the toilet waste pipe.
Inspect Sprinkler Systems
It’s also a good idea to check if your sprinkler system is working properly before the summer heatwaves come in. A simple way to do this is by using soapy water, which will reveal any leaks in the system.
If you notice any leaks, fix them right away and clean up any dirt or debris on the sprinkler heads. Make sure the sprinklers are raised at least 15 centimetres above the ground and that they’re not facing anyone’s property or windows.
Keep Your Garden Water Features In Check
Water features in your garden can be a lovely addition to your space, but it’s essential to make sure they’re working properly and not wasting water. You can check the pumps by switching them off and ensuring they don’t continue running when no water flows through them.
Also, make sure there aren’t any leaks in the pipes or any clogs. It’s also a good idea to check the timers and make sure they’re set correctly.
Perform Pool Plumbing Maintenance
If you own a swimming pool, it’s essential to make sure everything is working properly before you start using it in the summer months. Make sure there are no leaks in the piping or plumbing, and everything is appropriately secured. If there are cracks or tears in the lining of your pool, get it repaired before using it again this summer – even tiny cracks can cause big problems later on.
It’s also advisable to inspect your filter and pump system and make sure they’re working correctly. In addition, you should clean all pool items, including pool skimmers and brushes, since they might have collected dirt and debris during colder months.
Check Your Toilet for Clogs
Inspecting the toilet for clogs is essential if you want to avoid expensive repairs. If you decide to do it yourself using the food colouring method, follow these steps:
- Place a small amount of food colouring or dye into the toilet tank and wait for a few minutes to see if there’s any colour showing up in the bowl
- If there is, clear out the clog by flushing and running water through the toilet for about 30 seconds
- Then, inspecting your toilet for leaks by placing a drop of dye around the rubber seal will help you find out if there are any problems with it
Inspect Sump Pumps and Drainage Systems
Sump pumps are likely to get dirty if you haven’t been using them during wintertime. Once you start using sump pumps again, you should clean them regularly to keep them in top condition. Make sure there are no clogs and that it’s working properly – if it doesn’t drain water properly, it might not be able to handle sewer backups during rainy weather. To clean sump pumps, you can use an enzyme-based cleaner or a pressure washer.
Also, if you have a drainage system in your garden, make sure it has enough slope to direct water away from your house as well as that it’s properly connected to your sump pump pit and currently remains in good condition.
Communicate with Your Plumber
It’s essential to stick to these tips and perform regular plumbing maintenance in order to save money and prevent expensive repairs. However, you should also make sure that you communicate with your plumber in case you do not know how to deal with some malfunctions or if they start getting out of hand. This way, any issue will be fixed as soon as possible.
Final Note
Plumbing maintenance doesn’t have to be a hassle – with this summer plumbing maintenance checklist, you’ll be able to keep your plumbing system well-maintained and avoid serious problems in the future.
Don’t forget that it is essential to schedule regular annual checks by a professional plumbing service to prevent minor issues from turning into big and costly ones.