Typically, when you think of seasonal plumbing problems, you think of winter. Lack of warm water, frozen pipes, or even burst pipes are common plumbing problems faced during this time of year, and they’re ones that we’re taught to keep an eye out for and avoid. However, many plumbing issues can occur in summer as well, if your plumbing is not maintained correctly. To minimize your risk of leaking, flooding, and wasted money, consider these summer plumbing preparations.

Check for Leaky Faucets

Did you know that a leaky faucet that drips at a rate of one drip per second can waste up to 1,661 gallons of water per year? The EPA estimates that household faucet leaks collectively waste more than one trillion gallons of water annually. If you want to conserve water and save money on your utility bills, check the faucets throughout your household to ensure that they aren’t leaking. Although it may seem like a harmless drip here or there, it can accumulate into hundreds of gallons of wasted water – and wasted money.

Inspect Sprinkler Systems

It can be easy to forget about outdoor plumbing systems as well, such as irrigation systems and lawn sprinklers. Sprinkler systems are notorious for breaking or leaking, so be sure to inspect and clean your sprinkler heads at the start of the summer to identify any problems early on. You may need to have clogged sprinkler heads repaired or have rusted sprinklers replaced. Malfunctioning sprinklers can often result in an excess of water or water that sprays onto concrete, both of which waste hundreds of gallons of water and cost you money. Make sure that only your lawn is getting watered this summer by inspecting your sprinklers before the heat sets in.

Prepare for Vacation

Although you may think that leaks and floods are least likely to happen while you’re away from home and not using your system, the opposite is actually true. Pressure is built up when you’re away on vacation and not using water in the same way you were before. Not regularly flushing toilets, running the shower, and using washing machines can cause a significant buildup of pressure in your pipes – pressure which your systems aren’t designed to withstand for an extended period of time. This can cause you to experience a leak or even a flood while you’re away from home. You can prevent this by making sure that you turn off your system entirely using your master water shutoff switch. Turning this off before you leave for vacation will ensure that you don’t return to a costly disaster and significant property damage. 

Plumbing systems should always be properly prepared and maintained to ensure that they perform at their highest potential year-round. If there are any areas of your home that you believe may require professional assistance, give ProFlo a call. Our expert team can perform a wide range of plumbing services, including faucet repair, leak detection, pipe repairs, shower or toilet repairs, slab leaks, and water heater services. We know that plumbing problems, even those which appear minor, can cause significant damage to your home if left unfixed. That’s why we offer a 24/7 emergency service with record response times to the Murrieta and Inland Empire area. To get started with a free quote, call us at (951) 694-1300 today.