Summer Plumbing Tips: Don’t Get in Hot Water this Summer

I am highly anticipating the gradual transition from the rainy spring days into the sweltering heat of summer, just as my children anticipate breaking free from claustrophobic classrooms into a summer vacation full of outdoor activities. But before summer arrives, we have to prepare for the season; I need to buy sunscreen and bathing suits while the kids need to pass their final exams.

Likewise, there are steps to take to ensure your plumbing is optimized for the season. Here is a list of things you should do to prepare your plumbing for the summer.

1) Reduce the water temperature: Check your water temperature to make sure it is below 120 degrees. During the summer, it can be even lower, especially while on vacation.

2) Check washing machine hoses for bulges: Clothes seem to get dirtier in the summer because everyone is playing outside and swimming. Make sure your washing machine can handle the extra workload by checking for kinks in the connections.

3) Check outdoor faucets and hoses for leaks: The cold winter months can cause damage to outdoor plumbing, so inspect your hose before trying to water flowers or construct a homemade slip-and-slide.

4) Conserve water: If you wake up early to water plants before sunup, or wait until after sundown, you will save water. Midday watering causes much to dissipate in the sunshine.

5) Be careful what you put into garbage disposal: Garbage disposals were not designed to handle all food wastes. Stringy and fibrous foods, like celery and cornhusks, can wrap around the disposal blades. Never put down instant foods that expand with water, like mashed potato flakes, because they are almost guaranteed to cause a clog. This will ensure your summer BBQ goes off without a hitch.

Have a fun summer and try to make decisions that will conserve water and save the planet!