IT IS SUMMERTIME!
And between the sprinklers, pools, garden hoses, and extra indoor usage from kids being home, your plumbing is working overtime. This is the perfect time for a plumbing inspection. Make sure your plumbing can handle this summer long workout because it gives out half way through. You would not wait until you have a serious illness to go online and search for a doctor who can see you right away because you’ll end up having to go to the emergency room. We all know it will cost you a lot of time, stress, and MONEY. And once you were done there, they will insist that you follow up with your regular, trusted doctor. So if you wouldn’t put your health at stake like that, why would you do that with your home? Don’t wait until you have a plumbing emergency to start your search for a plumber who can fix your urgent problem. Prevent those plumbing issues from becoming an emergency in the first place.
Here are some things to consider…..
Washing Machine
While you’re insisting that the kids go play outside, remember: Outdoor fun leads to more dirty clothes, which means increased usage of your washing machine. Check your washing machine hoses for bulges, leaks or cracks. A burst hose can allow a lot of water to flow freely throughout your house. That not only wastes gallons of water but can also leave behind devastating results.
Dishwasher
Now that the kids are home and you’re probably inviting most people over to enjoy the South Carolina “Famous” heat with you, you’re probably eating at home much more. This means you have a lot more dishes that need washing. Utilize your dishwasher instead of hand washing dishes. With today’s energy-efficient dishwashers you’ll use about 37% less water than hand washing. If you notice a puddle forming around the base of the dishwasher or water backing up into the sink while the dishwasher is running, stop the cycle immediately. You will want to check the line or call Kay Plumbing.
Yard and Lawn Care
Chances are, if you have a healthy lawn during this summer heat, you are watering it on a regular basis. One of the most common summer plumbing issues has to do with hose bibs or other outdoor water lines. Take the time to untangle the hose rather than pulling on it. If you pull on it enough you could disconnect the hose bib from the water line. Don’t forget if your trees and grass are growing, so are the roots underground. If your pipes have even the smallest cracks those roots will grow towards and into the water or sewer line as they are a source of nutrition. Once those roots start growing in the line it could clog the line and cause a sewer backup. Call Kay Plumbing to inspect your sewer line to assess potential sewer line problems.
Don’t forget about leaks
Leaks are one of the most common culprits for wasting water in any season. Even a small drip can waste up to 50-100 gallons of water a week and that small leak can cost you in higher utility bills. You could literally be throwing money down the drain! While some leaks are easily noticeable such as leaks from faucets, toilets, shower heads, and other fixtures, don’t forget to look inside cabinets, under sinks and around toilets for water damage. Other leaks are harder to detect. These are called hidden leaks and they can take a little bit of digging to discover. You can check for these hidden leaks by examining your water meter during a period of time when no water is being used, overnight is the best time to do this. If your meter moves over this time period you have a leak that needs to be fixed. Contact a Kay Plumbing plumber right away!
