You might think that caring for your plumbing would be easier in the summer. After all, you don’t have to worry about dreaded frozen pipes, which happen even in Mesquite. But your plumbing is used more than ever during the summer months. Kids are out of school, and you entertain more. So, here are some plumbing tips you may want to follow even in hot weather:
- Look for leaks
- Adjust pressure if needed
- Find the main water shutoff
- Prevent clogs
Of all the problems that add to your utility bills, leaks are some of the worst. Leaks are often born during cold weather, but warm weather is the time to search for and fix them. Check everywhere there could be a leak in your plumbing system, including your sprinklers and outdoor spigots, your indoor pipes and their connections, your faucets, and the hot water heater. To find leaks in your toilet without having to flush it, put some food coloring in the tank. If the water in the bowl turns the same color, there’s a leak.
The standard water pressure for a house is between 40 and 45 pounds per square inch, or psi. It’s important to keep it at that level during the summer, given how frequently your plumbing is going to be used. There’s a water pressure regulator between your house and your fresh water line. Our plumbers at Flow Plumbing can adjust it for you if it’s too high or low, but if you do it yourself, have someone stand at a faucet and test to see if the pressure is right. If your water pressure is really low and stays that way no matter how you try to fix it, call your water company, or call us.
A surprising number of homeowners don’t know where their main water shutoff is. In some houses, it’s found in the basement or a utility closet. In others, it’s found outside. It can be in your yard or even in the sidewalk that runs past your house. If you really don’t know where your main water shutoff is, call us and we’ll find it for you. You will need to turn off your main valve if you have a plumbing emergency.
Most clogs can be fixed by a plunger or a snake. You can suspect a clog if the toilet is slow to flush, if water backflows into a sink or your tub, or if the tub or sink won’t drain at all.
Rely on Expert Professional Assistance
Found just east of Dallas, Mesquite is a great city. Our plumbers at Flow Plumbing are proud to serve its residents, whether it’s giving tips or installing, repairing, or troubleshooting their plumbing. If you need some help when it comes to your summer plumbing, don’t hesitate to call us.
