Spring is here and is bound to give way to summer fast. Soon enough, we’ll be outside playing baseball in the yard, hitting the pool for a swim, grilling up food, and going on vacation, to name a few summer favorites.

Not to mention there are grad parties, weddings, outdoor music festivals/concerts, and a general increase in social gatherings and events.

Much of the summer fun means more people will be in and out of your home. Naturally, your plumbing will see heavier usage. At the same time, a single plumbing problem can put a serious damper on the summer festivities.

Prepare your plumbing for summer ahead of time with these 4 tips.

1. Check For Pipe Leaks

Winter is the most “dangerous” season for your pipes, as the cold weather can lead to water freezing, expanding, and cracking, or even bursting the pipes.

Check all areas in your house where pipes could leak, such as under your sinks, your showerheads, your drinking water line, and so on. Investigate things like sprinklers (especially important in the summer) and your pool (if you have one) too.

Find any leaks? Patch them up asap. Doing so will cut your water usage and minimize the chance of costly problems.

2. Ensure Good Water Pressure

Whether you’re having guests over or you’re showering several times a day to beat the heat, your shower’s going to see a lot more use.

It’s a good idea to make sure the water pressure stays consistent.

Ideally, you want your water pressure 40-45 psi. It should never exceed 60 psi.

To check your water pressure, you can grab yourself a water pressure gauge from the store and attach it to a spigot outside.

If it’s too low, it could be due to leaks or a pressure regulator problem. You’ll need to find and fix the issue to get your pressure back to normal.

3. Keep the Gutters Clean

Gutters keep water away from your home. When they get clogged by twigs, leaves, and other debris, water can get onto your roof and lead to costly (and nasty) water damage to your roof and foundation.

Keep those gutters clear.

On a similar note, make sure your sprinklers aren’t pointed at your foundation. This can cause the same type of damage as clogged gutters.

4. Throw the Right Things Down the Disposal

Summer means barbecues as well as freshly-grown fruits and vegetables. But so much of these foods come with the risk of throwing the wrong things down the garbage disposal.

Avoid throwing the following types of items down the disposal:

• Stringy foods (banana peels, celery, corn husks)
• Anything relatively bulky (melon rinds, corn husks)
• Oils or fats (these solidify and clog the disposal)
• Bones
• Chicken skin

Really, the only things that should go down the garbage disposal are crumbs and many liquids that aren’t oils or fats. When in doubt, it’s probably best to throw it in your garbage can.

If you’re looking to prepare your home for the summer in Philadelphia, Barner Murphy would be happy to take a look at your plumbing system and fix any problems you might be dealing with. Contact us today to learn more.