It’s mid-July, the summer heat is in full swing, and the kids are constantly in and out of the house. While you are busy planning weekend trips, pool days, and barbecues, your home’s plumbing system is quietly working overtime. From extra laundry loads of beach towels to sudden summer thunderstorms, July brings a unique set of plumbing challenges to homeowners in Bensalem, Doylestown, Yardley, and across Bucks County.
To keep your summer fun from being interrupted by an unexpected basement flood or a backed-up sewer line, here are five essential summer plumbing tips to protect your home this month.
1. Don’t Let Summer Storms Overwhelm Your Sump Pump
July is notorious for fast, heavy afternoon thunderstorms. When a sudden downpour hits, your sump pump is the only thing standing between a dry basement and thousands of dollars in water damage.
- The Fix: Test your pump today. Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit. The float should rise, and the pump should turn on and quickly drain the water. If it hums but doesn’t pump, or fails to turn on entirely, call us immediately before the next storm rolls in.
2. Give Your Washing Machine Hoses a Quick Check
With sandy beach towels, sweaty sports uniforms, and constant pool clothes, your washing machine works twice as hard during the summer months. This massive increase in water cycles puts immense pressure on your washer’s supply hoses.
- The Fix: Pull your washing machine slightly away from the wall and inspect the rubber hoses. Look for any visible cracks, bulges, or slow drips near the connections. If they look worn, upgrading to stainless steel braided hoses is a cheap way to prevent a catastrophic indoor flood.
3. Protect Your Sewer Lines from Thirsty Tree Roots
By July, local trees are fully grown and actively searching for water during dry spells. Warm, nutrient-rich wastewater flowing through your underground sewer lines is a prime target. Tree roots can find tiny cracks in older clay or cast-iron pipes, growing inside them and causing massive, stubborn blockages.
- The Fix: Keep an eye out for early warning signs like multiple slow-draining fixtures, gurgling noises from your toilets, or a sudden sewer smell in your yard or basement.
4. Run Your Garbage Disposal Wisely at July BBQs
Hosting a summer cookout in Trevose or Yardley? Your garbage disposal is bound to get some action. But remember, it is not a trash can.
- The Fix: Keep fibrous, starchy, and greasy summer foods completely out of your disposal. Corn husks, celery, watermelon rinds, potato skins, and grill grease will instantly clog your kitchen sink drain lines. Throw those items in the trash or compost bin instead.
5. Use This Essential Pre-Vacation Plumbing Checklist
Nothing ruins a relaxing summer vacation faster than returning home to a flooded house. If you are leaving Bucks County for a week or more, take 10 minutes to protect your property:
- Shut off the main water valve: This completely eliminates the risk of an undetected pipe leak or appliance failure flooding your home while you’re away.
- Turn down your water heater: Put it on “vacation mode” to save energy and protect the tank while there’s no demand for hot water.
Need Expert Plumbing Assistance This Summer?
Whether you need an emergency drain cleared in Bensalem or want us to inspect your sump pump in Doylestown, Beecos Plumbing is here to help. Contact us today to keep your home running smoothly all summer long!
