Summer is a great time to relax and not worry about plumbing problems, right? Unfortunately, summertime is when our water usage is at its highest level of the year and that makes the hottest months prime time for various and assorted plumbing issues.
Watch those sprinkler heads! If you have an automatic irrigation system in place, chances are that some or most of your sprinkler heads are the pop-up variety. It is not uncommon for these heads to get stuck in the “up” position during their cycle, especially if you have especially hard water that can make the mechanism sticky. Inevitably, a car or a lawn mower will take off the top of that head, resulting in a geyser the next time the system is run.
Tree roots causing a break in the water main. We don’t often think about what may be going on underground because that part of our plumbing network is out of sight. Unfortunately, large tree root are at peak growth during the summer and are strong enough to break through even the sturdiest pipes. If you are experiencing water ooze in certain parts of your lawn or if your water pressure is unusually low over several days, it could be a sign of breakage. In this case, it’s best to bring in a professional plumber immediately.
Clogged toilets. The kids are home from school and that toilet is getting used and flushed all day long. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that it gets clogged from time to time.
