5 Common Summer Plumbing Problems (And How To Prevent Them)

Summer in San Benito County is a time for family, friends, and fun. 

But all of the extra activity can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing and water system. 

Today, Marquez Plumbing wants to give you professional insight into common summer plumbing issues from flooding, to clogs, to questions about water softener installation.

1. Issues with Your Sprinkles 

It’s understandable to want your yard to be healthy and green, and a good sprinkler system helps to achieve this. 

However, there is some upkeep needed to help your sprinklers run efficiently.

At the beginning of each summer, you should inspect the heads of your sprinklers and then give them a good cleaning. 

Another thing to be aware of is to always put the heads of the sprinklers down when you are mowing the lawn. This will help keep your sprinklers safe and running smoothly.

Hard water can also cause your sprinklers to build up mineral deposits, so a good water conditioner such as the Nuvo Water Softener is the perfect solution for San Benito homes.

2. Hard Water Problems

In the past, salt based water softeners were the solution of choice for hard water issues in homes nationwide. 

If you had hard water issues, like mineral deposits on your clothing, hair, or building up in your plumbing system, contacting a professional for a water softener installation was the way to go. 

However, a major downside of a salt based water softener is that water is continually wasted as excess minerals are being flushed out of the system.

These types of water softeners also require a good deal of upkeep. The addition of salt is needed periodically to keep these water softeners working, which can make salt based softeners difficult and expensive to maintain. 

Because this type of hard water treatment has a negative impact on the environment, San Benito county has actually banned salted tanks, and they even offer a rebate for homeowners who will remove them.

Unlike a salt based water softener, a water conditioner actually alters the makeup of the minerals in hard water instead of just removing them. 

The NuvoH2O Home Water Softener System is an eco friendly, efficient solution to hard water problems. 

It requires less upkeep, no real cost to maintain, and is the preferred system for San Benito county residents and those who are environmentally conscious.

3. Clogs In Your Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are super handy! However, they can become a big pain when they get clogged. 

With all of the extra cookouts and parties, it’s important to be aware of how to avoid clogging in your garbage disposal this summer.

Horizon Services says, 

“While produce may be organic, it is generally not good for your in-sink garbage disposal, particularly if you are getting rid of hard fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon or corn. These types of produce can damage the blades in your disposal unit or lead to stubborn clogs. 

Used cooking oils are also damaging to garbage disposal systems, so avoid pouring the dirty grease down the drain after grilling out. It is also a good idea to run cold water through your disposal for a few seconds before and after you use it to clear any remaining bits of food.”

Enjoy your time barbecuing with your friends and family, but be careful that you are mindful of what you and your guests are putting in your garbage disposal.

4. Sewer Lines Backing Up

 Large amounts of rain can also cause issues with your sewer. The excess water can enter pipes through small cracks and cause the sewer lines to become backed up.

You may also have problems if a tree root goes through a sewer line causing larger cracks in the pipes.

If you see signs of your sewer line being backed up you should call a plumbing company near San Benito County right away for an assessment of the damage. 

Some signs of a backed-up sewer line are:

• Having more than one drain in your home clogged
• Bubbles coming out of your drains
• Toilets not flushing the way they should

To do your part in preventing back ups, be aware of your sewer systems location, and be cautious of what you allow down your drains and toilets in the first place. 

5. Washing Machine Breakdowns

Your washing machine is a very valuable appliance in your home. But these appliances can cost a lot, so it’s important to take good care of them.

Donnelly’s says, 

“Be sure to stay around the house while doing laundry, so you can catch any problems fast and shut the machine off before they get worse (be sure to call a professional appliance repair technician with any needed repairs or concerns). 

Some older models may simply need a “break”, so washing your laundry one load at a time instead of doing several loads at once can also help. 

Finally, move your washing machine out from the wall a little, as this will help keep the water hose from kinking.”

Doing these simple things each day – especially over the summer – will help your washing machine last a long time.

If you need a professional plumbing company near San Benito, click here to get a FREE estimate today from Marquez Plumbing!