Summer is upon us. It will soon be warm enough for swimming pools and sunscreen, but for now, we enjoy spring. It’s such a joyful part of the year!
I don’t mean to go all poetic and cheesy on you, but it’s a season that brings a lot of hope with it. The sun’s out more; the trees start to grow back their leaves, there’s colour in the greenery with every new flower bud. Not to mention how light and blue the sky becomes after the long months of grey, ashy clouds.
Every new season brings its problems for the plumbing system. The summer brings overheated and possibly bursting pies, the winter with water freeing over in the pipes. Autumn has its share of leaves, and spring has its problems.
We compiled a list of ten handy and simple plumbing tips that will ease you through the spring into the hot months of summer.
-Check the washrooms for concealed leakages:
It is probably the most commonly dreaded problem: a backed-up, clogged, or leaky toilet. Sometimes, the problem is obvious, and you can get working with the plunger or call the plumber. Sometimes, it’s not that obvious, but there’s a way to check if the toilet is leaking.
Add about six droplets of food colouring to the latrine tank. If the toilet happens to leak, the stain will show up in the toilet bowl in about half an hour at maximum. Better pick up a tool, or call the plumber.
-Empty a container of water into seldom-used conduits, and don’t forget the ones on the floor:
You don’t want a smelly sewage odour stinking up the house. It’s a good practice to pour a bucket or two of water down a seldom-used drain to make sure the trap stays filled.
It will also help you find out if the drain is clogged up. In that case, clear it with the help of eels or jetters. It will ensure that if a flood comes crashing, the drains are in shape and will carry the water away.
-Make sure the water flow in faucets and ducts is unobstructed:
Winter can cause pipes to freeze over and burst, and it’s very likely a tap or two may have lost functioning. So, make sure the faucets are in order and get any that don’t work fixed.
Also, make sure that the drains and traps work fine. Tell-tale signs of a clogged-up duct are gurgling sounds or a foul smell.
-See to it that all the storm-water drain gates have strainers:
Make sure the storm-water gates have filters. And make sure they aren’t broken.
They’ll prevent random objects from falling down the drain that may end up obstructing it. It will also provide a barrier against stray leaves that might swim down and get stuck. If you don’t, you’re inviting blockages into the drain.
-Be sure that the toilets function correctly:
Toilets, as we said before, are the household appliance everyone fears malfunctioning.
In case there’s a need to hold the button-down longer than it should be, or the toilet water stops running suddenly, you should heed the red flags and repair or change the damaged parts of the cistern. They aren’t expensive. Plus, it will lower your water bill.
Not to mention, if left as it is, what if it could have led to a big problem with the toilet. You don’t want that happening.
-Inspect the bared pipelines beneath the washbasins:
Examine your pipes under the bathroom and kitchen (or bedroom, if it’s there), and make sure they work fine and there are no leakages. They could get clogged up, too, and that will mean the water will keep collecting and pooling up in the sink. Or they could become leaky.
Also, keep in mind that adjustable pipes need to be substituted every five years. If it’s been that long, you should go ahead and invest in a new one.
-Check faucets for any damage:
A leaky tap is an indication of a bigger problem, and you should make sure to pay attention to them.
Since winter means frozen water, it also means that the pipes might have damaged, cracked, or even broken. It’s best to take care of this problem before the summer months roll in. You see, in summer, the pipes will heat up, and the channels will further get damaged and may even burst. So, before that happens, contact someone to repair or fix the pipes.
-Examine the outer side of the house, especially the roof:
Inspect the roof, and make sure it’s not leaking, especially because summer rains can be substantial. You should also make sure the lawn drains, conduits, and waterspouts are clear and without debris.
-Adjust the heat dial on the heating system:
The coming months mean hot weather anyway. You won’t need the water heater that much. But still, just in case, make sure to set it below 50 degree Celsius. The temperature will be perfect to avoid bacteria growth while decreasing energy waste.
-Try out the water pressure control valve of the house:
Yank the dial of the valve with careful consideration and observe whether excess water flows through the pipes. A functioning valve will regulate the water pressure.
