The Most Common Plumbing Problems during the Summertime

by Jamie & Kelson Carter, Father/Son Plumbing Contractors

Here is a list of the Most Common Summertime Plumbing Problems and how you can help Dad out with a repair!

1. Clogged Garbage Disposal:  Since, we are more active during summer with cookouts and barbeques, it is important to properly dispose of food waste.  Do not put excess fruits and vegetables that are more fibrous and hard in texture such as watermelon rinds, celery and potato skins down the drain.  Cooking oil, grease and fat from meats should be placed in the trash instead.  Be sure to run plenty of cold water before, during and after the food is being ground up by the garbage disposal to ease in the downward flow through the drain to prevent a drainage clog.
2. Backed Up Sewer Lines:  When the air begins to heat up, summer rain showers can bring bursts of rain showers.  Excess rain water and tree roots in the soil can cause cracks in sewer lines through which water can seep into the sewer line and cause a sewer line to back up from so much velocity overload.  If water from the toilet begins to back up into the bath or shower drain that is a warning sign of a sewer line back up.  It could be a simple fix or an extensive replacement.  It's always good to have the line inspected with a camera device to know exactly what the "root" cause is.
3. Watch The Washing Machine:  The washing machine tends to get used much more frequently during summertime with everyone spending more time doing a variety of activities such as spending time at the lake and enjoying the outdoors.  It's a good idea to not leave the house while the washing machine is running so that you are readily available to stop the wash cycle if something goes haywire.  The washing machine should be positioned a foot or so away from the wall, to ensure that all water lines and hoses have room to work properly without kinking.
4. When Toilets Clog:  With school out there may be more people home during the summer and toilets get used more.  Caution family members to use smaller amounts of toilet paper and keep a plunger handy for those small clogs which occur.  If the toilet is completely clogged and won't flush, call a plumber who will be able to rooter, or "snake" the line.  When gravity won't fix it, it takes a special tool to push a blockage out the line without breaking it.
5. Outside Hose Spigots:  Sometimes outside hose spigots wear out from "wear and tear" of using the hose or from extreme winter temperatures.  When you are getting a spray of water where the hose fits to the spigot, or if the spigot continually drips, it could be a simple repair or something that requires a new device.

If you need advice, or need a plumber, please call us.   We are locally owned and operated.  We are a father/son team!  We are 3 generations in the plumbing business.  Call our office at 317-859-9999, or tweet Jamie @proplumberjc