Summer usually involves get-togethers with family, pool days with friends, and sprinkler games for pets and kids. However, the extra people and increased water usage can add stress to your plumbing system. Below are some potential plumbing problems that can compromise your pipes and how to avoid them.

Preventing Summer Plumbing Mishaps

1. Grease in Kitchen Drains

Summertime usually mandates a backyard barbecue or two. If you plan to cook some bacon to top off the ultimate party burger, do not pour the grease down your drains; it can cool, congeal, and clog your pipes. Other debris that finds its way down the drain will get stuck in the grease and form a bigger clog.

To prevent any obstructions, collect the grease in a jar, wait until it cools and then throw it away in the trash. Alternatively, purchase a container designed for grease reuse and save the fat to cook with later.

2. Leaky Pipes

You may decide to turn on the garden hose several times this summer to spray down the kids. If you garden or have lush landscaping, you might add a few extra sprinkler cycles to keep your plants from drying out in the heat.

Such extra use can put additional pressure on the pipes and potentially lead to leaks, so space out watering and sprinkler playtime to give your pipes a break. Choose one water activity a day; this limits the amount of pressure on your pipes and helps prevent leaking.

3. Hair in the Shower

It’s refreshing to shower after a day at the pool, washing away the sunscreen, chlorine, and heat. Be careful with how much hair you allow down the drain, however. Loose tangles collect soap and other residues, which can clog pipes quickly.

Brush your hair to get rid of stray strands before bathing or showering. Also, purchase a mesh screen to place over the drain and catch leftover loose ends.

If you bathe your dog in the bathtub, place a washcloth over the drain to prevent the fur they shed from entering the plumbing. You can also install a pop-up stopper in the bathroom sink. Clean the device regularly, however, as a full pop-up stopper reduces water flow and makes it appear as though you have a clogged drain.

 

If you happen upon any summer plumbing mishaps, contact Niebuhr Plumbing & Heating in the Coulee Region, WI. Since many plumbing problems lead to emergency service needs, these licensed and insured experts are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To reach La Crosse County’s top-voted plumber in 2019 and the five previous years, call (608) 782-1700. Visit their website to learn more about their services.