As summer nears, most people look forward to family vacations, weekend cookouts with family and friends, relaxing by their pools, swimming, and enjoying the longer days. However, most people forget to think about their residential plumbing systems. There are several summer plumbing tips you should review and do to help prevent costly plumbing repairs down the road.
Call Larkin Plumbing for help with your summer plumbing needs.
How Do I Prepare My Plumbing for Summer?
In the summer, it is vital to help ensure your home’s plumbing system operates efficiently and effectively while helping conserve water. Inside your house, you should consider doing the following:
- Replace shower heads with water-saving models: Have your plumber upgrade your shower heads to ones that use less water
- Replace toilet flushing mechanisms with low-flow ones: You can either upgrade the toilet or have your plumber replace the interior parts with low-flow flushing parts
- Upgrade to a tankless water heater: Tankless water heaters help lower energy costs and are easier to maintain
- Check the settings on your water heater: Your water heater only needs to be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is turned up more, you are wasting money. Anything lower is not recommended because it increases the risks of bacteria and Legionella, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease.
- Check for leaks and have them repaired: If you notice your water bills seem higher than normal, you most likely have a water leak. Have your emergency plumber find the source of the leak and fix it as soon as possible.
- Have your drains cleaned: Get into the habit of having your drain lines professionally cleaned annually. Doing so helps prevent clogs, removes buildup from inside the drain lines, and keeps water flowing correctly.
- Address problems with scale and mineral buildup: If you do not have a water softener, your plumber may need to replace plumbing lines, pipes, and fixtures to address scale and mineral buildup issues. Consider installing a whole-house water softener and filtration system to prevent future problems.
There are also several things you should do for your home’s exterior plumbing, as follows:
- Check water spigots for leaks: Check any exterior water spigots for slow leaks. If you find any, have your plumber replace them.
- Inspect your sprinkler system: If your home has a sprinkler system, inspect it for problems, such as blown sprinkler heads and loss of pressure. A loss of pressure usually indicates water leaks. Have your plumber repair and fix these to prevent excessive water waste. Also, verify that your system is set correctly to meet the Las Vegas Valley Water District’s watering restrictions.
- Check your air conditioning drain lines: Your air conditioner has a drain line where water should drain away from the outdoor unit. The line can get clogged and cause problems. Either remove and rinse out the drain line or have your plumber do it.
- Check your pool’s plumbing and filtration system: If you have a pool, you need to verify that the plumbing and filtration system is functioning correctly and there are no leaks. To reduce water evaporation, use a pool cover whenever the pool is not being used.
How Do I Keep My Water Pipes Cool During Summer?
The most effective way to keep your water pipes cool during summer is to ensure they are properly insulated. The insulation will help keep the water cooler, so you do not have to waste cold water waiting for it to cool down.
Related: The Basics of Plumbing for New Homeowners
Is Pool Plumbing Difficult To Maintain?
It is easy to forget about your swimming pool plumbing lines because you never see most of the plumbing system. The only parts you see regularly are the skimmer, drains, and return vents. The actual pipes are usually hidden behind the pool walls. Maintaining the plumbing lines is not too difficult if you keep up with regular pool maintenance.
Regular pool maintenance includes removing leaves and other debris from the pool so they do not get sucked into the drain lines. If they do, they can create clogs and other issues. Another part of regular pool maintenance is to verify there are no leaks and that the pool’s plumbing system is functioning correctly.
If you notice a change in water pressure from the return vents, this could indicate a partial clog, leak, or dirty pool filter. Ensure you are checking and changing your pool filter regularly. If your pool filter is clean, then the drop in pressure means there is a leak or partial clog.
Water leaks mean your pool water is leaking into the surrounding ground, leading to excessive water waste. You want to have leaks fixed quickly. Otherwise, your water bill will continue to increase.
Related: How To Find a Pool Leak
Lastly, you need to make sure the water remains balanced by testing it at least monthly. When the water is not balanced with the right chemicals, it can result in excess algae growth and slime buildup on the pool walls.
Should you encounter any Las Vegas pool plumbing issues that you cannot resolve, do not hesitate to contact a qualified Las Vegas plumber for assistance.
Call Larkin Plumbing for help with your pool plumbing in Las Vegas.
Schedule Summer Plumbing Maintenance and Repair Services Today
When you want help with summer plumbing maintenance in Southern Nevada, you can count on Larkin Plumbing. Our experienced residential plumbers can help you check and test your home’s plumbing system and your pool’s plumbing system to verify everything is working correctly. If any leaks or other problems are found, we will resolve them quickly and easily. Contact us today to schedule your summer plumbing maintenance and repair services.
Sources:
Giovanisci, M. (2023). Pool Plumbing and Anatomy for Beginners.
Time-of-day Water Restrictions Are in Effect. (2024).
What Is Legionnaires’ Disease? (2021).