It’s important to have a routine seasonal plumbing maintenance schedule in place to ensure that your home’s plumbing system works efficiently year round. You’ll save time and money by avoiding the chances of a minor problem turning into a major expensive one.
Season Plumbing Maintenance Tips
There are several different maintenance considerations that come into play, depending on the time of year. Seasonal plumbing issues vary from frozen pipes during the winter months in the northern states and higher elevations in Arizona, to swimming pool plumbing issues during the summer. Even though it can be difficult to notice the minor signs before they become real problems, a good way to prevent typical seasonal plumbing issues is to be proactive. By frequently checking for signs of water damage, leaky pipes and standing water issues both indoor and out, you’ll be able to stay ahead of the game, regardless of what the weatherman predicts.
Summer Plumbing Maintenance
When it comes to plumbing problems in Arizona during the summer months, you would think there wouldn’t be much of a concern, but there is. The extreme summer heat, dust storms and excessive rain because it’s also monsoon season, can wreak havoc on your plumbing. Also, sprinklers can also be a major cause of leaks, often going unnoticed because they’re usually on timers and not supervised. Then there are the sewer problems, also brought on by substantial bouts of rain. Something you definitely don’t want to have to deal with. If you have an in-ground swimming pool, you’ll also want to make sure to look for leaks. Walk around the edge of the pool, checking for eroded areas and wet soil. For more summer plumbing tips, click here.
Autumn and Winter
This is the time of year to be proactive and clear your gutters and downspouts of debris. Hard water is also a common plumbing problem, which causes magnesium and calcium mineral build-up in the water heater. Mineral build up reduces the water heater’s full capacity and causes the heating rods to corrode. While you don’t need to winterize unless you live up north, it’s also important to take note of frost notifications reported on the news. If it’s going to get cold enough for frost, you’ll want to insulate your pipes in unheated areas like garages. You can use heat tape on pipes that are exposed and at risk of freezing.
Spring
It’s the time of year to start “Spring cleaning,” including addressing the gutters and downspouts again, removing any remaining twigs and leaves. If you have a sprinkler system, run it to make sure that the sprayers are working appropriately. If you have a sump pump, add water in the pit to make sure that it functions the way it’s supposed to. Also, check any outdoor faucets to make sure that the water is running correctly and that there aren’t any leaks around hose bibs or faucets.
Learning seasonal plumbing maintenance is very important and can even save you money. If you’re experiencing any problems from the crazy monsoon season, give us a call!
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