When the hot summer weather hits Massachusetts, it’s getting your air conditioner ready to handle the heat is a priority. Another thing that needs to be high on your to-do list is prepping your outdoor plumbing. Here, we’ll discuss some of the most common steps to take to ensure that your outdoor plumbing is ready for your increased summer demand.
Test Your Outdoor Faucets
Inspecting your outdoor faucets is a great place to start. You’ll want to give them a once-over to make sure there’s no visible cracking in the faucet or the line. Turn on the water supply to your outdoor faucets, and ensure each one is working properly. Pay close attention to issues like low water pressure or leaks.
Test Your Hoses
Once your faucets are tested, hook up each one of your hoses, and give them a test. Visibly inspect the entire hose to ensure there are no droplets forming or sprays of water coming from it due to a leak. If you see major bulges in the hose material, it typically means a leak is right around the corner. Usually, it’s best to replace that hose or do a repair to the damaged section to prevent a leak from developing.
Open Your Irrigation Lines
If you have an irrigation system, it’s likely you removed the water from it to keep it from freezing up and cracking the lines last winter. Now is the perfect time to turn the water back on, but don’t turn on the sprinklers just yet. Let the water fill up all the lines for your irrigation system, and inspect your lawn.
Pay close attention to any spots that are overly wet or bubbling with water. These are key indications that you have a leak in one of your irrigation lines that needs to be addressed by one of our plumbing professionals. Be sure you also inspect all the sprayers when you have the water off to see if any of them are leaking and need replacing.
If everything for your irrigation system seems fine, it’s a good time to flush it out. Flushing helps to remove any debris or sediment that is stuck within your lines. You’ll do this by removing the actual sprinkler head and running each zone for a few minutes to allow all the sediment to flow out. Then reinstall the sprinkler heads, and retest your system to ensure everything is still working correctly.
Insulate Your Pipes
When most people think about insulating their piping, they think about protecting it from freezing temperatures. It’s also great for protecting against extreme heat. Any areas of your piping that are exposed to direct sunlight throughout the day should receive insulation to better control their water temperature. You can use different insulating materials, such as foam or even a thermal wrap, depending on your budget and aesthetic preferences.
Test Outdoor Fixtures
If you have any outdoor plumbing fixtures, like showers, sinks, or a pool, you’ll need to test them before the summer heat sets in. It’s common for sediment to build up over the winter and clog the water supply lines to these fixtures. It’s best to run water through each one to ensure it’s coming out at an adequate pressure.
Establish Your Irrigation Schedule
If you have an irrigation system you use to regularly water your plants, gardens, or lawn, it’s best to have a timer that will take care of automatic watering for you. Spring is the perfect time of year to program your desired watering schedule for the upcoming summer.
Prep Gutters and Rain Barrels
One component of your outdoor plumbing you don’t want to overlook is your roof drainage system. It’s best to clean out your gutters completely and ensure all the downspouts are free from debris. If you use rain barrels to collect rainwater, now is a good time to flush them all out and give them a good washing.
It’s pretty common for unwanted sediment to settle in these barrels throughout the winter, which could eventually lead to clogging of outlet lines. Additionally, giving them a thorough washing is a great way to get rid of unwanted bacteria that could otherwise contaminate the water supply.
Have Your Sewer Line Cleaned
Your outdoor sewer line is another component you shouldn’t forget about. We highly recommend routine hydro jetting service in the spring to clear out any debris that’s stuck in your sewer line. This service is great for busting up tree roots that can invade your sewer line and lead to unfortunate blockages.
Call for a Professional Inspection
Another great tactic for prepping your outdoor plumbing system for the upcoming summer is to schedule a professional inspection. For this service, one of our plumbers will come out to your home and assess all the different components of your plumbing system.
We’ll be able to test for things like leaks so that we can repair them promptly, before you experience a major plumbing issue. This is a great way to significantly reduce your chance of experiencing a problem with your outdoor plumbing system.
Install a Soaker Hose or Drip Hose
If you have a garden or landscape that needs routine watering throughout the hot summer months, you may consider installing a soaker hose or drip hose. Early spring is the perfect time of year to do this so that the hoses are in place and ready to go. If you lay the hose underneath mulch, it will reduce evaporation. Make sure not to place dirt over the hose, as it can lead to clogging.
Consider Integrating Convenience Features
Spring is the perfect time of year to think about upgrading some of your outdoor plumbing fixtures to provide more convenience for you and your family. One thing you may want to consider is quick-connect hose fittings. These allow you to easily switch between nozzles, splitters, and sprinklers without having to wear out hose threads.
You may want to invest in a smart irrigation system that can help you be more efficient with your water usage. Many of these systems will adjust their irrigating schedule based on your local weather forecast so that you’re not overwatering your landscape. They can even send you alerts when there is an internal leak so that you can repair it before the issue gets any worse.
Another potential upgrade you may want to consider is a hose and filter. This is a small cylinder that screws onto the existing hose, and it allows you to connect a nozzle or other fixture onto its other side. This filter will remove unwanted particulate matter from your water to prevent it from clogging your hose nozzles and other water features.
Call Us for Reliable Plumbing Repair Service
DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offers reliable plumbing service for the Falmouth, MA area. We can help with all your plumbing installation, repair, replacement, and maintenance needs.
Call our team at DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today to schedule your next service consultation.
