Summer means more water use, longer showers, frequent laundry loads, backyard hoses, and maybe houseguests who push your plumbing harder than usual. All of that adds up. Taking a few simple steps can prevent your plumbing from struggling under pressure later, providing you with a sense of relief. DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in West Boylston, MA helps homeowners avoid summertime plumbing issues before they become emergency calls. So, if you like your summer stress-free and your water flowing, let’s get started.
Test Your Outdoor Spigots Before You Really Need Them
If you haven’t used your outdoor hose bibs since last fall, now’s the time to give them a test. You don’t want to find a leak only after you’ve threaded on a sprinkler or filled a kiddie pool. Start by turning the water on slowly and watching the connection. If you notice dripping around the handle or behind the wall, you might be dealing with a cracked pipe from a winter freeze that didn’t show up until now. Even a small drip adds up when it’s connected to a hose that runs for hours.
Try attaching a nozzle and spraying water for a few minutes. Watch the pressure. If it drops unexpectedly or you hear gurgling, the line might be partially blocked or damaged. This is especially important if you use that spigot to water your lawn or run an irrigation timer. You need a steady flow and no surprises. Fixing it now keeps your outdoor plans on track and your water bill from creeping up without you noticing.
Check for Slow Drains in the Kitchen and Bathrooms
Summer often means more meals at home, more guests in the house, and more water running through your sinks and showers. That increase in use can reveal issues that weren’t obvious when the house was quieter. If water takes longer to clear after brushing your teeth or washing dishes, there’s a clog starting somewhere. Don’t assume it will fix itself. Small clogs trap debris and slow the drain until one day they block it entirely.
Ignoring these signs could lead to a complete blockage, which can be a major inconvenience, especially during a busy summer. You can test this by running the tap at full pressure and watching the drain for a few minutes. If the water builds up or bubbles while it clears, that means air isn’t moving properly through the pipe.
Inspect Your Water Heater for Signs of Stress
Hot water use increases during summer, even if it doesn’t feel like it. More people in the house, more showers, and more laundry all put pressure on your water heater. If your system is older or hasn’t been flushed recently, sediment could be building up inside the tank. That buildup acts like insulation, keeping the heat from moving into the water efficiently. You might notice the hot water runs out faster than it used to or takes longer to recover between uses.
Look for small leaks or rust stains near the base of the tank. That’s often where stress shows first. A steady drip, even if small, means the system is under pressure and could wear out. If left unattended, this could lead to a complete failure of the water heater, leaving you without hot water during the summer. You can also listen when it’s running. A rumbling or popping sound inside the tank usually means air bubbles are trapped beneath sediment.
Look Under Sinks for Damp Cabinets or Mold
You might not check under your sinks often unless something smells off or you’re grabbing a cleaner. But those cabinets hide some of the most vulnerable plumbing in your house. Sink drains and supply lines can drip slowly for weeks without showing signs until the wood swells or the floor gets soft. Heat and moisture in closed cabinets create the perfect environment for mold in summer.
Check Toilet Function Before You Have a Full House
When your house gets busier, your toilet gets less rest. Extra use from family, guests, or kids on summer break pushes it into a heavier workload. If it runs too long after flushing or has to be jiggled to stop, it’s time to look inside the tank. The flapper might not be sealing properly. That lets water leak slowly into the bowl, so the tank must refill constantly. You might not hear it unless the room is quiet, but the impact on your water bill shows up fast.
Try holding the flush lever down for a moment, then letting go and watching how the tank refills. If it takes longer than usual or sounds uneven, something isn’t working as it should. These parts wear down quietly, and you might not notice until the tank stops refilling completely.
Examine Hose Connections on Washing Machines
Laundry can double in the summer, especially if you have kids or spend time outdoors. That extra use puts strain on the hoses behind your washing machine. Rubber hoses are common but are also more prone to swelling, cracking, or bursting when the pressure rises. If they haven’t been checked recently, they could fail without warning.
Pull the machine out gently and inspect the hot and cold water connections. The hose might need replacing if you see bulges or moisture near the fittings. Braided stainless steel lines hold up better, but even those can loosen or corrode. Listen for leaks during the spin cycle. If you hear water slapping where it shouldn’t or find drips on the floor, act before the hose lets go completely.
Pay Attention to Water Pressure Changes
Strong water pressure might feel satisfying, but if it suddenly increases or drops, that change might mean something’s wrong inside the pipes. High pressure puts extra strain on valves, connectors, and older fittings. If the flow feels too strong or sprays wildly from faucets or showerheads, you could be risking your plumbing without knowing it.
Low pressure can mean a buildup in the aerators or a developing leak in a supply line. Either way, it affects how your system functions. Try turning on multiple fixtures at once and see how the pressure holds. If it dips noticeably when you flush a toilet or start the washing machine, the plumbing might be stretched thin.
Test Your Sump Pump Before the Summer Storm Rolls In
You may have a sump pump if your home has a basement or sits on low ground. But it only protects your home if it works when you need it. Summer storms can bring heavy rainfall that floods foundations fast. If the pump hasn’t been tested in months, you might not realize it’s stuck or disconnected until water rises.
Lift the float manually and listen for the pump to turn on. It should start quickly and run long enough to move water out of the pit. It might need cleaning or replacement if it clicks but doesn’t run or seems to strain. A failed sump pump turns a quick storm into a long drying process. Testing it now gives you a better shot at keeping your home dry when the weather gets unpredictable.
Create a Strong Plumbing System for Summer
Your plumbing system works harder during the summer than you might think. If you want help ensuring everything’s in top shape, schedule a seasonal inspection with DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We also offer drainage solutions, drain cleaning, utility trenching, land clearing, and site grading to support residential and commercial construction projects.
