As the New Year approaches, the holiday season and warm weather tend to put a smile on many people's faces. Summertime often comes with lots of excitement, to the extent that you may forget about your home's plumbing system.
What most homeowners forget is that warm weather can put a strain on your plumbing infrastructure. From the increased risk of rusted pipes to higher activity levels of rodents and pests, keeping up with your plumbing system during the summer can prevent costly disasters. Here are some common challenges you can expect and how to handle them.
1. Rusting and cracks to piping systems
After winter, the cold weather likely caused your pipes to contract. Warm air will cause the opposite effect, where the pipes will expand due to higher temperature. This contraction and expansion can cause cracks in your pipes over the years. Furthermore, heat and moisture are the two leading causes of rust and corrosion.
You should have your pipes inspected during the summer for any likely corrosion or cracks. This is especially true if you notice that your pipes are leaking (or if you have frequently blocked drains).
2. Heavier use of plumbing infrastructure
Summer is the season of barbecues, family get-togethers, sleepovers and extravagant holiday parties. As more people spend time in your home than normal, your plumbing system is likely to undergo heavier use.
Be prepared to tackle issues associated with blocked toilets, broken showers or leaking faucets. In fact, the earlier you can detect such issues, the better. A simple leak can worsen into a fully blocked drain or a cracked pipe.
3. Rodents and pests are active
You're not the only one excited about the warm weather. Mice, cockroaches, ants and other pests also tend to become more active as summer approaches. If you've had rodent issues in the past, you should be particularly wary of them infesting your plumbing system.
The last thing you want to see is a rat swimming up your toilet bowl. Yikes! To prevent such a disaster, have a plumber inspect both your indoor and outdoor systems for any possible issues with pests.
4. Outdoor pipes under pressure from vegetation
Sunlight is the perfect catalyst for plant growth. If you have an outdoor sewer pipe running through your garden, roots from trees and shrubs may exert pressure on the pipe and cause bends/cracks. Make sure you keep your outdoor vegetation under control by trimming roots and branches on a regular basis.
