4 Must Know Summer Plumbing Tips

During the summer months water usage increases in all homes. As seen in the North East of the country this week, increased water usage alongside changing weather conditions can see the risk of breakdown in plumbing and water systems sharply increases.

To allow you more time on your towel in the sun instead of using it to mop up leaks, here are our tips to protect against the typical problem areas at this time of year.

Water Heater

• Check the water heater and hot water supply to ensure the temperature is lowered to around 48̊ C. Not too low, but a few degrees will shave a little something off the utility bills.
• The average life of a water heater is anywhere from 8 to 11 years. If you don’t know the age of your system, check the last four digits of the serial number on the tank. This will show you the month and year it was manufactured.

Washing Machine

• During the summer my washing machine and I see a lot more of each other with the extra loads that come with the warmer weather. Make sure you give your washing machine a break every now and then and check the hoses and machine.  A rubber washing machine hose usually needs to be replaced every 3-4 years.

Taps

• To check on your taps, here is a little trick to use:
  • Turn on two taps at different parts of your home (for example, the bathtub and kitchen taps) simultaneously.
  • If you notice that the water volume reduces in any of the taps, your house pipes probably have mineral or debris deposit.
  • If you notice low water pressure in your taps, there are possibilities that your house pipes are expanding. The expanded pipes can lead to leaks, water supply malfunctions, or even pipe bursts.

The Garden

• To keep your lawn green and more importantly to reduce water use and wastage, it is important to water your lawn at the right time.  The best time to water your  lawn is in the early morning and evening, after the sun goes down.  If you decide to water your lawn in the middle of the day, that water can be lost due to evaporation from the heat throughout the day.

Finally, it does no harm to check if the connections of all the fixtures, pipes, appliances and other plumbing system are tight and leak-free. The connections may loosen up because of the heat.

If you are having any plumbing or electrical issues this summer, contact us via our website and we will take care of your problem so you can go back to enjoying your summer.