Seasonal plumbing tasks to protect homes and commercial property, Homeowners plumber advice, Home bathroom maintenance

Seasonal Plumbing Tasks To Protect Homes And Commercial Property

19 July 2023

Homeowners know some tasks suit different times of the year. Spring is a traditional time for giving a home a thorough going over and freshening the place up for instance.

Autumn is the time for sealing draughts and cracks to protect against chilly winds. Indeed, preparing for winter in fall is a yearly event to maximize comfort in the cold months to come.

Plumbing too requires regular maintenance. Some parts of the year see a higher demand for water consumption, while others put pressure on heating systems. For these reasons and others, it is good to know when to carry out certain plumbing tasks.

Are some plumbing tasks better handled at certain times of the year?

Different seasons deliver different types of weather. And climates differ from one region to another. Therefore, this guide can only generalize on what tasks should be tackled during which season.

However, the people at Will’s Plumbing Adelaide recommend regular maintenance to ensure heating and drainage systems operate year-round. Carrying out tasks in autumn for instance will help prepare your home for winter. And the good weather in spring can be put to use making sure plumbing systems are running efficiently.

Here are a number of different plumbing tasks and when they should ideally be carried out. Inspecting and maintaining plumbing systems should be done regularly to avoid leaks and major faults. But, certain tasks should always be done before the next season takes root.

Spring plumbing tasks

The spring is traditionally associated with homeowners having a clear out, and a good clean. So, why not look after your plumbing system in the same fashion?

First, check the pipes for any indications of leaks. This is actually a job for every season so don’t be surprised to see it pop up in this article a few times for good reason. But, as you are concentrating on cleaning, your main areas should be the water heater and drains.

Unclog bathroom and kitchen sink drains of hair and any build-up. Then move to the outside drains. A simple home remedy using baking soda, vinegar, and hot water will help to clear your exterior drains.

Now, you can clear the sediment that builds up in water heaters. During the fall and winter, your water heater will have been in regular use. During this time, sediment builds up and requires flushing away.

To flush a water heater, you will need to use the drain valve along with a hosepipe to empty the tank. Once done, cold water can be flushed through until the water runs clear once again. YouTube has some useful guides for water tank flushing, and your local plumber can help if needed.

As summer approaches, humidity, and moisture levels will rise. Some of the most humid US cities have 90% humidity levels. Moisture and humidity can cause mold to grow. Therefore, regular inspections are worth carrying out from now until fall.

Plumbing tasks for rainy periods

Some countries don’t have typical Western seasons but instead have hot or rainy periods. Usually, rain comes mostly in summertime except in certain areas of Europe and North America when it is heavier in winter.

Whenever you experience your heaviest rainfall, you should check your sewer systems and drains. Clear gutters and drains so that storms don’t cause issues here. And have your sewer system inspected as heavy rainfall can cause backups to occur.

Summer plumbing tasks

The hottest months of the year lead to heavier water consumption. Naturally, people want to shower more, and swimming pools get used heavily too. This could be a good time to invest in some solar-powered devices such as filters and pumps for garden water features.

But, there are also more urgent tasks for homeowners and business operators to attend to. Leaks are one of the most regular home maintenance tasks. Leaks lead to water damage and other problems at any time of the year, but in the summer they can cause unique issues.

High humidity combined with leaks will lead to mold as you have read. But, moisture build-up and dampness also attract pests. Common household pests are most active in summer. Simple plumbing problems such as leaks will make your home inviting to pests, so it’s best to fix these promptly.

For restaurant and takeaway owners, kitchen grease traps should be inspected. The summer months see higher restaurant trade and more demand for kitchens and plumbing. If a grease trap isn’t working properly, oil and fat will enter the drainage system causing blockages.

Autumn plumbing tasks

Autumn presents its own set of problems. It is also the season that leads into the holidays and typically the lowest temperatures. As the cold sets in toward the end of Autumn, you should store sprinklers and hoses to protect them until spring arrives.

But before this, you should hire a plumber to inspect your water heating system. Before the cold weather truly sets in, ensure your water heater works. And once again, drains and gutters need inspecting.

In fall, trees normally drop an inordinate amount of leaves. These leaves clog gutters and in turn, drains. The average cost of unclogging a drain is $230 but can be more.

Winter plumbing tasks

You should drain your external faucets to minimize the risk of freezing. You can do this by closing off the water supply and opening the faucets until they run dry. Frozen pipes are a serious risk during cold weather, and steps should be taken to avoid problems.

Some of these tasks may be done in autumn depending on how cold your region gets. Winter exposes houses to the elements and it’s best to be ready for high winds and snow. Some areas require tornado-proof housing but you can help yourself by inspecting your plumbing.

As with every other season, check for leaks. Then, insulate your water pipes to help avoid them freezing. Insulation helps in many ways. Insulation will help retain heat and make your home more energy efficient. It also stops moisture from building up and therefore reduces the risk of corrosion. Plus, insulation stops pipes from freezing and bursting.

Another consideration is once again your drains. Except this time the danger can come from your kitchen sink. You should avoid putting fats and grease down the sink regardless, but in the winter months, this is more important. The cold helps grease to solidify leading to clogged drains which will require unblocking.

And if you are going away on vacation or for the holidays…

One final piece of seasonal plumbing advice is to make sure you turn off the water if you are leaving the house empty for some time. Vacations and holidays are times for relaxing and forgetting about daily life.

If you happen to have a burst pipe when you are away, your home could suffer catastrophic damage from flooding. Closing the main water supply will ensure this never happens.

Seasonal plumbing tasks to protect homes and commercial property Summary

Regular plumbing inspections help to avoid serious failures including burst pipes and sewer backups. Maintenance also keeps plumbing systems running efficiently and minimizes water wastage. But, some tasks are more essential in certain seasons.

Going without hot water in the summer might be annoying, but it won’t be disastrous. If your water heater breaks down in winter, the story will be very different. Keep up with these tasks during the seasons, and your plumbing system will keep you warm and comfortable.

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