5 Common Summer Plumbing Problems

The plumbing system is the most overladen of all the parts that make a house a home. With the winter behind us, the risk of frozen pipes is a thing of the past, but summer is not without problems of its own. As a homeowner there are things you can do to protect your property from serious plumbing problems. Today we look at some of those issues and how you can avoid them at your home.

Most Common Toronto Plumbing Problems That Occur in Summer

1. Sprinkler Problems

Do you have a sprinkler system with sprinklers embedded in the lawn? Take the time to inspect all the sprinkler heads before the watering season starts. When you trim the lawn, do it when the heads are lowered so as to avoid damaging the heads.

2. Toilet Clogs

With the family home for the summer, toilets are used more often. Now is a good time to teach the young ones to be frugal with the toilet paper, and to flush whenever they use the bathroom. Thankfully, most clogs are quite easy to clear using a plunger, but major clogs in the main sewage line can be more complex, and you will need a plumber to handle that.

3. Sewer Line Backups

Afternoon thunderstorms and showers can also cause plumbing emergencies. When excessive rain seeps into the sewer pipes through cracks, it can cause the line to back up. Tree roots that grow under the ground can spread, cracking the pipes, and in severe cases, cause the pipes to collapse. If your toilet backs up into the drain of your bathtub, that is often a sign of a backed up main sewer line. That is not a problem that can be dealt with using a plunger; instead, you will have to call a city of Toronto master plumber to take care of the problem. Professional Toronto plumbers will use high pressure water jetting to clear away clogs. If the pipes are reasonably in tact, they may be able to repair the cracks using cured-in-place piping. If your pipes have collapsed, you will have to have them replaced.

4. Clogged Garbage Disposal

Just because food scraps are organic, it doesn't mean that it should always go down the garbage disposal. Hard produce such as corn or watermelon can damage the blades of your disposal unit, or it can cause clogs. Cooking oils and grease should not be poured down the disposal either. It is always a good idea to run the cold water for a few minutes before and after using the disposal to ensure that all the bits of food are removed.

5. Wash Day Blues

With the whole family enjoying the warm weather by the pool or on the beach, your washing machine is bound to get more of a workout during summer. This can put additional strain on the machine. Ideally you should only run the machine when you're home so that you're there, should a problem arise. That way you can quickly stop the cycle and get professional help. Don't push the machine too close to the wall, as it could cause it to overheat and the pipes may clog.

Need help with your summer plumbing problems? Get in touch with Anta Plumbing. We've seen it all and we have fixed it all. We can help you too.