Summer Plumbing Tips

Summer is just around the corner. While we don’t think anyone quite knows what that will look like in terms of socializing, there are a few things you can do to make sure your plumbing is summer ready.

Check your sprinklers.

Making sure your sprinkler system is functioning at peak performance is a critical part of keeping your yard looking great during the summer months. Before it gets too hot, give your system the once over to check for any broken or leaky sprinkler heads. If you don’t feel up to the task yourself, give a professional a call to inspect your system before the Michigan heat its.

Give your washer a once over.

While the kids have been home for a while now (does it feel like an eternity to anyone else?), summer time can do a number on your washer. Check hoses and connections to make sure everything looks up to par. Chances are everyone in the your house will be spending a lot of time outside gardening, hiking and just generally tracking in more dirt and grime than normal so you’ll want to make sure your washer is running at it’s best.

Don’t abuse your garbage disposal.

BBQ season is upon us and we are ready for it! Keep is mind that while it may be tempting to dump everything down the garbage disposal, please don’t. In short, the following things should NEVER go down the disposal:

• Oil/grease- this may seem like a no brainer but you’d be shocked how many people pour bacon grease or oil from their fryer down the drain and cause themselves a boatload of plumbing problems as a result. Just don’t do it.
• Instant foods- think instant oatmeal, instant potatoes, you get the gist. Since these things expand when water is added, they’ll keep swelling in your pipes.
• Bones- while they won’t cause a clog per se, your garbage disposal is not designed to tackle things this hard.
• Coffee grounds- coffee grounds are deceptive. They may appear to go down seamlessly but they actually collect in your pipes creating a sludgy, disgusting mess in your pipes.

Take it easy on the TP.

Again, the kids have been home since what seems like January so you’ve definitely been blowing through more toilet paper than usual and you may have already covered this with them but no one needs half a roll for a, ugh, trip to the bathroom. We’re not saying to ration the toilet paper exactly but it may be worth reminding everyone what a “normal” amount of TP is. Plus, we could be on the cusp of a toilet paper shortage? What a time to be alive!

Inspect for leaks.

Give your entire home the once over for leaks. Small leaks can add up so catching those little drips early on can save you quite a bit in the long run.

Even if summer may look a little different this year, we are still excited to get outside and soak up some sunshine. What are your favorite summer activities? What are you looking forward to the most?