Practical Summer Plumbing Solutions You Can Use
Everyone knows that summertime means shorts, sandals, beaches, vacations, gardening, and outdoor activities. But not everyone realizes that summer is also the season for common plumbing problems like clogged garbage disposals and drains, broken and leaking sprinklers, and troublesome washing machines.
Fortunately, there are some helpful tips that you can use to ensure that you don’t fall victim to these common problems, and this will let you have the fun and relaxing summer you deserve, without having to worry about blockages, breakdowns, and water damage.
Stop Damage to Your Garbage Disposal
What's the common problem? In short, clogs. Clogged drains and broken disposals are very common with these appliances, and these troubles are caused by putting in the wrong foods, not keeping the disposal clean, and not running the disposal properly.
What's the best solution? Avoid the wrong foods (and non-food items), such as large bones, coffee grinds, fibrous foods, too many starchy foods, and foods that expand in water, such as rice. Run the disposal after doing the dishes, and pour in some liquid dish detergent as well while running clean water to keep the blades clean.
When you do run the disposal to grind food, keep a strong stream of cold—not hot—water running at all times. And never put in too much food at a time. If necessary, cut up your scraps before grinding them.
Be Mindful of Sprinklers and Hoses
What's the common problem? The major problems are leaks, UV damage, damage from wear, and damage caused by lawn mower blades.
What's the best solution? When you find a leak, you might have to replace a washer valve in the faucet, patch a hole in the hose, or clean a valve in the sprinkler. To prevent UV damage and wear, never store the hose in the sun, and don’t put the hose away if it has kinks in it. When it comes to mower damage, the simple solution is to bring in the hose and sprinkler before you mow, but it’s even better to store them properly any time they're not in use.
Don’t Let Your Washing Machine Break Down
What's the common problem? There is more than one common problem with washers, and the issues include leaks and floods, machines that bounce around, and machines that leave a residue on the clothes.
What's the best solution? The solutions to prevent leaks and floods include having your washer professionally serviced regularly and replacing the hoses every five years or when you notice signs of wear.
If your machine bounces around or races across the floor when it’s on, it probably isn't sitting level on the ground, and leveling it out will fix this problem. To make sure that your machine doesn’t leave detergent residue on the clothes, wash out the drum monthly, and never use more detergent than what's recommended by the manufacturer.
Other common summertime plumbing problems involve toilets, drains, and sewer lines. If you're experiencing any of these issues, call Green Hills Plumbing, in Madison, TN, today at 615-866-1917 to find out how one call can fix your summer plumbing problems.