Summer BBQs, Guests, and Plumbing

After being cooped up all winter, summer is the perfect time to finally enjoy backyard barbecues, family gatherings, and visits from friends. While you're busy planning the menu and setting up the patio, your home's plumbing is probably the last thing on your mind. However, a little prep can help prevent unexpected plumbing issues from putting a damper on your summer fun.

One of the busiest rooms during any gathering is the kitchen. With more cooking, cleaning, and dishes than usual, your sink and drains work overtime. Even with the help of a dishwasher to stay on top of dirty dishes, it's important to scrape food scraps into the compost or garbage before stacking up the washer. Grease, cooking oils, coffee grounds, and starchy foods like pasta or rice should never go down the drain, as they can build up over time and lead to stubborn clogs.

Your bathrooms also see more traffic when you have guests. A simple reminder that only toilet paper should be flushed can go a long way in preventing blockages. Items such as paper towels, facial tissues, wipes (yes, even the "flushable" ones) and personal hygiene products can all cause costly plumbing problems. Keeping a small waste basket in each bathroom makes disposal easy and helps protect your plumbing.

Summer is also a good time to check your outdoor faucets and hose connections. Winter's freezing temperatures can sometimes cause small cracks or leaks that aren't noticed until the water is turned back on. Take a few minutes to inspect outdoor taps, hoses, and sprinkler connections for leaks. Catching a small problem early can help prevent wasted water and more expensive repairs later.

If your home has a sump pump, consider giving it a quick test before heavy summer rain arrives. Summer thunderstorms can be fun to watch from the porch, but not so fun to watch flood your basement. Pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit is an easy way to confirm it's operating properly. A functioning sump pump can be the difference between a wet or dry basement.

Just remember that a little preventative care goes a long way. Taking a few simple steps before guests arrive can help you avoid plumbing emergencies and allow you to focus on what really matters - making those sweet summer memories.