Welcome to Arizona Summer. It comes quick, doesn't it? The heat has officially been turned on here in the Valley of the Sun. Across the Phoenix Valley, people are using more water than they do the entire rest of the year, particularly in maintaining swimming pools, keeping lawns watered, and staying hydrated. Oftentimes, water usage in the summer can go up two to four times during the summer months.
This can cause extra strain on your plumbing systems which is why we are not surprised that we encounter all types of summer plumbing issues between those tough months of June through August. A lot of these issues can be prevented with proper maintenance.
Forrest Anderson Plumbing and Air Conditioning have compiled some of our best tips below, ensuring adequate plumbing in your home throughout the summer season.
Vacation time?
If you are planning a summer vacation, save money by turning down your water heater before you leave. If you’re not there to use it, a few degrees difference won’t matter and can save you a substantial amount of money, particularly if you travel frequently. You can also save money by turning the temperature of your refrigerator higher.
Check Your Sprinklers
Often, sprinkler systems get damaged due to carelessness when mowing the lawn or from children playing in the yard. Be sure your sprinklers are working properly to avoid flooding, and if damage does occur, make any necessary repairs immediately.
Fix Broken Toilets
Do you know that toilet that makes a funny sound after you flush? Or, perhaps it requires an extra jiggle of the handle in order to get an effective flush? That toilet could be wasting gallons of water each day, costing you to flush money down the tube every time you touch the handle. In the summer, toilets in homes with children are on double duty as kids are home from school during the day, so making sure your toilets are working properly is an important aspect of summer plumbing.
Don’t Weardown Your Garbage Disposal
In the summertime, sheer convenience can cause us to throw things down the garbage disposal that we wouldn’t normally discard that way. If you’re planning a big summer barbeque, remember that items such as cornhusks and watermelon rinds are better for the trash or compost pile. Also, never pour grease down the drain, as it hardens and can cause major clogs over time.
One of the best ways to make sure your plumbing is ready for the summer is to schedule time for an annual inspection with one of Forrest Anderson's expert technicians. Our expert plumbing team is trained to identify problem areas and stop issues before they start.
If you need help with the summer inspection of your Phoenix home, please contact Forrest Anderson. We provide dependable HVAC and plumbing services to help your home through the summer.
