Plumbing trouble isn’t just a cold-season phenomenon
Winter isn’t the only season that can wreak havoc on your pipes. In central Texas, the mercury exceeds 100 degrees on dozens of days per year, and an unprepared plumbing system can take a serious hit as a result. Below, we outline some of the most common hot-season plumbing problems and offer some common-sense tips for dealing with them.
Sweating Pipes
When the weather warms up, your skin isn’t the only thing that sweats. Poorly insulated pipes can “sweat” excess water and create serious leaks that eventually threaten the integrity of your ceilings or floors. Due to contraction in the pipes themselves, sweating pipes that are already constrained by clogs can suffer catastrophic backups.
Sewer Backups
Although summer tends to be a fairly dry season in central Texas, occasional thunderstorms and unseasonable rains can cause unexpected sewer backups that devastate your home’s lower levels or yard. Likewise, tree roots that have expanded during the spring may constrain or even break pipes. To prevent this, schedule a consultation with a plumber before the height of summer.
Clogged Drains and Garbage Disposals
It’s common to celebrate all spring and summer long with outdoor cookouts. If you’re not careful, however, you could put the wrong things down your kitchen drain and clog your garbage disposal beyond easy repair. Avoid putting any vegetable matter or animal fats in this all-important receptacle.
Water Heater Issues
During the winter, it’s important to have your water heater at a high temperature. In the summer, keeping your heater above 140 degrees might just be a waste of energy. As long as your hot water is at least 125 degrees, it won’t grow dangerous bacteria.
Washing Machine Problems
For various reasons, central Texas families tend to use their washing machines more during the summer. If your home has hard water or any other existing plumbing issues, this increased use can accelerate your equipment’s natural wear and tear. Eventually, your washing machine lines may suffer from clogs and kinks. Use a water softener or drain cleaner to mitigate this issue.
Find Expert Plumbers in Austin
Whether you’re dealing with a serious warm weather plumbing issue or simply need to repair a faulty fixture, you should be able to rely on a trusted team of plumbing experts to field your questions and point you to the right tools for the job. At ABC Home & Commercial Services, we’re proud to employ plumbing pros who can handle just about every problem that you can throw at them. To learn more, call us at (512) 837-9500 or schedule a free estimate online.