Between extremely high temps, higher water usage, and nonstop AC, your plumbing is feeling this summer heat just like you are. Believe it or not, summer is actually one of the toughest seasons in a home’s plumbing season.
Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to get ahead of the Austin heat and make sure your plumbing systems are all in order. Here’s a quick checklist from the team at Redbud Plumbing, offering plumbing services across Austin, Texas.
1. Check Your AC Condensate Line
You may not think about it, but your air conditioner and your plumbing actually go hand-in-hand. As your AC works overtime, it produces condensate that drains through a small line often right next to your hot water heater. If that line clogs up, or the drain where that line leads does, water can back up and damage your walls, ceiling, or flooring.
Ultimately, just giving your condensate line a cursory glance during this peak season can help save you from costly repairs down the road. If you do notice anything out of the ordinary, though, make sure to call a professional.
2. Inspect Outdoor Spigots and Hose Bibs
Summer in Austin means more watering, washing, and wear on your outdoor plumbing fixtures. So, much like checking your condensate line, make sure you turn on outdoor spigots to check for leaks, weak pressure, or dripping at the connection point. A drip outside doesn’t just waste water, it can also signal a worn washer or a crack that can get much worse.
While you’re out there, make sure to take a look at your hoses too. A cracked or damaged hose can send water pressure back into your system in ways it wasn’t built to handle!
3. Watch Your Water Heater Closely
It might seem a little backwards, but summer is a good time to give your water heater some love and attention. With everyone showering more, running sprinklers, and filling up pools, your water heater and main line see a good bit of extra demand.
If your unit is more than 10 years old, this is also a smart time to talk to a plumber about whether a replacement or a tankless upgrade makes sense before it fails during a heat wave. For more information on water heaters in Austin click here!
4. Prep for Guests and Higher Water Usage
Summer in Austin often means more people in the house, whether the kids are home from school, family is visiting from out of town, or you’re having people over to enjoy time together. While a great time to enjoy with friends and family, more people means more strain on those ever-important plumbing fixtures we always talk about. So, with this added activity, it’s worth doing a quick walkthrough of your bathrooms and kitchen to make sure everything is draining well and there are no small leaks that could become a big problem.
Call Redbud Plumbing – Your Plumbing Professionals in Austin, Texas
While it may seem tedious, most of the things on this checklist are things you can handle in an afternoon! Plus, it’s more than worth getting ahead of warning signs like slow drains, water bill spikes, or a water heater that’s on its last leg.
Redbud Plumbing has been helping Austin homeowners stay ahead of seasonal plumbing issues for years. Give us a call for a summer inspection, and let’s make sure your home is ready for whatever this Texas summer throws at it! Contact the team at Redbud Plumbing today.
