Go Back

Preventing the 3 Most Common Summer Plumbing Problems

Everyone loves the warm weather and outdoor adventures that summer brings, but during these months there are also a number of common plumbing problems that many people experience. This can range from broken washing machines to backed up sewer lines to damaged sprinklers, but the good news is that most of these issues can be avoided with a little prevention and maintenance.

1. Washing Machines That Won’t Wash

Summer means mud, gardening, and outdoor fun, and this leads to piles of dirty clothes, and this is a recipe for an overworked washing machine and extra maintenance needs.

To get the most life and the cleanest clothes from your machine, make sure the machine is level on the floor and replace any hoses that have holes, wear or weak spots, blisters, or cracks.

And despite how tempting it might be to get your laundry done in fewer washes, don’t overload the machine, and don’t overdo it with the detergent.

It’s also a good idea to wipe out the inside of the machine weekly to remove residue. If you find any dings or scratches on the outside of the machine, touch them up with a bit of paint to prevent rust.

2. Sewer Lines Backing Up

One of the best things about summer is the gatherings, like block parties, neighborhood barbecues, pool parties, and get-togethers. But this can also mean overtaxed toilets, and this can lead to trouble with backed up sewer lines.

One of the easiest ways to prevent this is to ensure that only acceptable material gets put into the toilet, and this means don’t flush away garbage, food waste, or any other non-toilet related materials.

If you have large trees near your sewer lines, make sure the roots aren't growing into the lines. And if you don’t have a backflow device installed that prevents water from the main sewer line entering your pipes, consider having one put in.

3. Damaged Sprinklers

Sprinklers are a simple and easy way to ensure your lawns and gardens stay hydrated during the hot summer months, but because they're on the ground, they're also susceptible to damage. If you have a regular portable sprinkler, make sure you move the sprinkler and hose before mowing the lawn, or you may run them over.

And when you pick up the hose, don’t just leave it in a pile, because this can lead to kinks, knots, and weak points. Instead, coil the hose up and hang it up out of the sun.

If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, make sure you do a dry run with the mower at the start of every season to make sure you aren't going to damage the sprinkler heads with the mower.

You can either push the sprinklers farther into the ground if there's going to be a problem, or you can raise the mower blades.

Summer maintenance is important to ensure a long life and consistent performance from your plumbing systems and appliances, but not everyone has the time to perform these necessary services.

If you are in the Franklin, IN area and need any plumbing assistance this summer, call (317­) 738-­2707 today and speak with a professional from Kellie Plumbing Inc.