24-Hour Plumber: 5 Warm-Weather Plumbing Problems to Watch for this Summer

As we breeze through the summer months, you’ve probably got nothing but good thoughts of barbecue and vacation on your mind. What could go wrong? Well, as plumbers, we can tell you there’s actually a lot that could douse your summer fun in seconds.

When warmer temperatures hit, people tend to spend time doing activities that they don’t normally do when cooler weather prevails. The weather is hotter. People go outside more and more dirt gets into the plumbing.

Here’s what can happen if you’re not careful:

#1: Pipe Breakdowns

If you have older metal pipes, the sun’s intense heat and UV rays can cause them to expand, causing leaks or pipe breaks. Some leaks are more visible than others. With leaks you cannot easily see, you may instead want to check your water bill and see if it is much higher than normal. During hot and dry summer months, you are also likely to use more water—not only to cool yourself off but to water your plants. Using hoses or sprinklers more often can place stress on your pipes, increasing the risk for irrigation system breakdowns.

#2: Clogged Toilets

During the summer, the toilets seem to get extra use. Why? During the spring and fall months, your kids are at school. But in the summer, that’s seven to ten hours of extra time that the toilets in your home could be used. Multiplied by the number of children you have, that’s a lot of extra time spent on the throne, which means more potential for clogs.

Most clogged toilets are easy to clear with a plunger, but sometimes you need to call in a 24-hour plumber.

#3: Washing Machine Wear and Tear

Your washing machine may take on extra loads during the summer, too. The kids are more likely to be outside playing. There’s a lot of yard work to do in the summer, as well, which means the kids aren’t the only ones playing in the dirt. You’ve got to wash away all the sweat and dust somehow! If your washing machine is acting up, stop the cycle immediately until you can call someone in for repairs.

#4: Blocked Garbage Disposals

Nothing says summer like a nice backyard cookout. Unfortunately, not everyone understands that you can’t just stuff those watermelon rinds down the garbage disposal. In fact, did you know that even though fruits and vegetables are organic, they might not be good for your disposal? The hard texture of things like apple cores can actually damage the blades of your disposal, which can cause clogs. Be sure to tell your family about proper disposal use so that you don’t have to call a 24-hour plumber in to fix it for you.

#5: Clogged Shower Drains

When people go out in nature more often during the hot days of summer, they are more likely to shower more often, too. The things that we track into the shower, like dirt, sand, and pebbles, can leave you standing in a pool of water the next time you need to get clean. It’s best to make sure that your feet and legs are rinsed off outside prior to hopping into the shower if you get extra dirty at the beach or on a hike.

Are You Experiencing Any of These Plumbing Problems This Summer? Call a 24-Hour Plumber

If you need help resolving problems with your plumbing like those we mentioned above this summer, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We will help keep your pipes working and your floors dry. Get in touch with us today and tell us about the plumbing problems you’re experiencing so that we can send someone to you.