When September rolls around, most homeowners are thinking about cooler weather, getting the kids back into a routine, and maybe finally turning the air conditioner off. Plumbing probably isn’t high on the list.
But early fall is actually one of the best times to give your plumbing system a little attention.
Summer can be surprisingly hard on a home’s plumbing. Between extra showers, watering the lawn, filling pools, running sprinklers, having kids home, hosting guests, and dealing with heavy summer storms, your plumbing system has spent the last few months working harder than usual.
That extra use has a way of exposing problems that may have already been developing. And if you noticed something over the summer that didn’t seem quite right, September is a good time to deal with it before colder weather arrives.
That Slow Drain Probably Isn’t Going to Get Better
Maybe the kitchen sink started draining a little slower after a summer full of cookouts. Or you’ve noticed you’re standing in more water than usual by the end of a shower.
It can be tempting to ignore a slow drain because, technically, it’s still draining.
The problem is that a drain rarely slows down for no reason. Grease, soap residue, hair, food debris, and other material can gradually build up inside a line until water has less and less room to move.
If multiple drains are acting differently at the same time, that deserves even more attention because the issue could be farther down the plumbing system.
You don’t necessarily need to panic over every slow drain. But you also don’t want to wait until a drain stops moving altogether or wastewater starts coming back in the other direction.
Take a Look at Your Outdoor Plumbing
Outdoor faucets and hose connections get plenty of use during a South Jersey summer.
Before you put the hoses away for the season, take a closer look at the hose bibs themselves. Is there dripping after you shut the water off? Does the faucet feel loose? Is there moisture where the pipe enters the house?
A small outdoor leak can be easy to overlook when you’re constantly using the hose anyway. Once temperatures start dropping, however, exterior plumbing becomes something you want in good working order.
September gives you time to address those problems without scrambling to do it the night before the first freeze.
Don’t Forget About the Sump Pump
Summer thunderstorms can give a sump pump a workout, and hurricane and tropical storm season isn’t necessarily finished just because Labor Day has passed.
If your sump pump ran frequently this summer, listen to how it’s operating. Make sure the pit is clear of obvious debris and pay attention to whether the pump is cycling normally.
A sump pump isn’t something most homeowners think about until there’s water coming into the basement. That’s exactly why checking it when there isn’t an emergency is worthwhile.
Give Your Water Heater a Quick Look, Too
Your water heater works year-round, but household routines can change significantly over the summer. More showers, guests, laundry and general water usage can make an aging unit start showing its weaknesses.
Look around the bottom of the tank for moisture, rust or corrosion. Pay attention to unusual popping or rumbling sounds and whether your hot water seems to be running out sooner than it used to.
You don’t need to replace a water heater simply because it’s getting older. But knowing that a unit is beginning to struggle gives you the opportunity to make a decision before it makes one for you.
Fall Is a Good Time to Handle the Little Stuff
Not every plumbing issue needs to become a major project.
Sometimes it’s a valve that needs replacing. Sometimes it’s a drain that needs attention, a toilet that won’t stop running, or an outdoor faucet that’s been dripping since June.
Taking care of those smaller problems in September can put your home in a much better position heading into the colder months.
If you’ve noticed something that doesn’t seem quite right, Signature Plumbing can take a look and help you determine whether it’s something that needs attention now or something you can simply keep an eye on.
Signature Plumbing | Mullica Hill, NJ
856-725-0241 | signatureplmb.com
Plumbing License #13309