Keep Your Home Plumbing Working Well Throughout Warm Months
It’s common to use different components of your plumbing system more often than at other times throughout the year. Like how in the winter your furnace is on a lot, except there are many smaller plumbing problems that pop up in the warmer months that can easily become disasters. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Memphis is here to help by sharing the things we help people with all the time so that you can stay ahead of these situations (and maybe even fix them if you’re already dealing with a problem).
First up, here’s how you can keep your garbage disposal in tip-top shape…
Garbage Disposal Clogs
The more you’re hosting, grilling, and chopping up fresh fruits and veggies, the easier it is for a garbage disposal to clog repeatedly. Some of the summertime foods that shouldn’t go down the disposal include:
- Melon rinds
- Fruit seeds
- Grease
- Corn cobs
Sometimes even the most seemingly powerful disposal will reach its limit, so it’s best to use your garbage disposal properly. Not everything should go into it, especially if you find that you’re prepping more food than usual.
Washing Machine Breakdowns
As your family is outdoors and enjoying warm-weather activities, laundry needs tend to skyrocket. To prevent a surprise burst in the supply hose, be sure to routinely inspect the washing machine hose for any leaks, cracks, or bulging areas.
The machine should be pulled away from the wall a bit to avoid bending or kinking the hose for extra protection. This is also good for reducing the risks of overheating and starting a fire.
If you can be home while a cycle is running, that’s your safest bet for catching any problems that might happen during use. And best practice is to run smaller loads of clothing at a time to avoid overwhelming the machine.
Water Heater Malfunctions
It comes with the territory of using more water (like with your washing machine) and your water heater is also being used more than it was before. From extra dishwasher cycles to more showers and double the laundry, your water heater is working hard this summer. Be sure to have it inspected annually and pay extra attention as it gets older. Once water heaters reach 10 years old, it’s at a higher risk for problems, such as:
- Running out of hot water too quickly
- Pumping out water that is too hot
- Improper gas combustion
- Extinguishing pilot light
Most water heater problems can be resolved if they’re caught in time (unless it’s the anode rod). That’s why it’s crucial to address issues even if you just suspect something is off. Professional assistance is always available if you’re uncomfortable addressing problems yourself!
Too Many People Using the Toilet
When there aren’t enough bathrooms, arguments arise. People are fighting over whose turn it is, potentially getting impatient with so many others trying to share the space. And with this extra use comes more clogs. Sometimes, depending on eh situation, guests treat toilets as garbage disposals when they shouldn’t.
Friendly reminders to guests that unwanted food, paper towels, and feminine products need to be disposed of correctly can go a long way. And little ones may need assistance remembering not to use way too much TP – sometimes, these small steps are what it takes to prevent a big problem.
Not only are toilet clogs messy and disruptive, but they can also become hazardous and create unhealthy water damage issues. licensed and insured plumbers may be your best choice in these situations, for the safety of your family and visitors.
Sewer Line Backups
Like toilet problems, but on a more severe scale, sewer lines can back up and cause significant sanitation hazards. Summer weather can bring excessive rainfall and invasive tree root growth, both of which create sewer issues. and while it’s impossible to control the weather, you can stay on top of sewer systems by monitoring the weather and scheduling inspections to ensure that there are no underlying things to address.
And as we mentioned earlier, keeping grease out of your drain lines is very important for a safely functioning plumbing system. Over time, this grease can build up in your drains and create the same types of build-up and backups that natural occurrences also bring.
If you want to cover all your bases at once, consider scheduling a summer inspection with Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Memphis. Our licensed, insured, and trained professionals are only a phone call away for all your Memphis plumbing needs.
