Summer brings warmer weather and increased outdoor activities, but it also presents a unique set of challenges for home plumbing systems. Plumbers report a surge in calls for issues like slow kitchen drains, basement flooding, split hose bibs, and clogged gutters, often stemming from neglected maintenance and seasonal usage.
One of the most frequent summer complaints involves kitchen sinks and garbage disposals. Plumbers like Jamarr Hall in Philadelphia note an increase in calls due to the common tendency to consume more fruits during warmer months. Hard seeds from fruits like watermelon and coconut pieces can easily get lodged in garbage disposals, preventing them from crushing food waste effectively. Hall advises residents to avoid putting hard seeds and fruit peels down the sink, recommending that visible debris be scooped out and discarded in the trash instead. The effectiveness of a garbage disposal unit also depends on its age and condition.
Basement flooding is another significant concern during summer, a season often marked by heavy rainfall. Hall explains that torrential downpours can overwhelm home plumbing systems if groundwater drains are not kept clear. Clogged drains, often obstructed by leaves and trash, can lead to groundwater backing up into basements, even those that are finished with bedrooms and bathrooms. For homes equipped with sump pumps, it is crucial to ensure they are operational. Testing a sump pump involves pouring a five-gallon bucket of water into the sump pit to confirm it can drain effectively. Plumbers also recommend sump pumps with battery backups to prevent flooding during power outages, which can coincide with storms.
Split hose bibs, the outdoor faucets commonly used for watering gardens, filling pools, and washing cars, pose another summer problem. Kelly Ireland, a plumber in Philadelphia, notes that many calls relate to hose bibs splitting because homeowners fail to properly winterize them. Leaving a hose attached during colder months can trap water inside the faucet, causing it to crack. Signs of a compromised hose bib include leaks from the faucet itself or the surrounding wall, an inability to turn off the water, or a stuck hose. Ireland emphasizes the importance of shutting off the water supply to the faucet from inside the house before winter and then opening the outdoor faucet to allow it to drain. Disconnecting hoses when not in use is also recommended.
Clogged gutters are another issue that can lead to significant water damage. Hall advises checking roof gutters for blockages before major storms arrive, as clogged gutters prevent water from draining properly. This can result in water pooling on the roof or finding alternative routes into the house, potentially causing leaks. Homeowners and tenants are encouraged to conduct monthly inspections of their homes, looking for dripping faucets or clogged outdoor drains. Plumbers stress the importance of addressing small issues before they escalate into major, costly repairs.