Summer is in the air — well, almost! For many San Diego homeowners, this time can mean cleaning off your BBQ equipment, getting your patios and pools ready, and booking your summer trips. When that to-do list gets so long it begins to look like a novel, there are some indoor and outdoor home maintenance things you shouldn’t ignore. Not to worry, though: from HVAC to plumbing, we have your summer checklist to ensure your home is ready for summer!!
Your Summer Plumbing and AC Checklist
We know that you’re going to want to spend most of your time outdoors, but you don’t want to neglect the indoors, either. The most efficient thing to do is to pay attention to any little signs of caution that you see. New leaks, sounds, or moisture spots can all be signs that something more serious is occurring. So, the best way to prevent a burst, an overflow, or breakdown is to look and repair these signs right away.
Start With Plumbing
Inspect all your fixtures, pipes, and faucets. Trust us, we know that you don’t want to spend the summer fixing a burst pipe, an overflowing toilet, or more. Start in the kitchen and check your sink for any drips, leaks or moisture issues around the fixtures. Has your dishwasher been leaking for weeks and you’ve just been ignoring it? Those ‘small leaks cause the most damage to your flooring, walls and often turn to mold which is a big health issue for your family. Now is the time to adequately address all these issues. Go room-by-room and take care of the DIY things you can, and reach out to a professional for the rest.
Kitchen and Bathroom Plumbing
Bathroom and kitchen issues are more common than you realize — and most of the time, they are preventable. Check your sink and tub fixtures for loose parts and leaks. Spots in your kitchen and bathroom that you’ll want to inspect include:
-
Your drains and faucet
-
The pipes going to these sinks
-
Your dishwasher
-
Showerheads
-
Toilets, for clogs and faulty flappers
Remember to also work on prevention throughout the season, too. If you think you might have a leak,here’s how to find it. Scrape plates, get drains cleaned, and don’t abuse your dishwasher or shower drains.
Slab Leak 101
This major issue is not an easy find, but it’s something you’ll want to spot and correct as soon as possible. A slab leak occurs in the foundation of your home and can be a severe issue. Ignoring it can lead to mold, mildew, water damage, and more. To identify a slab leak, you’ll need to know the signs. As they are not as easy to spot. If you happen to notice the signs below, then you might have a slab leak and need to get a plumber there ASAP:
-
A sudden increase in water bills
-
An odd, hot spot in your floor
-
You’ve suddenly noticed one room has a higher humidity level than the others
-
Sudden cracks in your wall or ceiling
-
A sound of running water when nothing is on
When a slab leak is ignored, water will continue to leak, causing major damage. Continuing to ignore this problem will then lead to even more extensive damage which means pricey structural repairs, and more. So, knowing the signs is critical.
Water Pressure Check
Wasting water is much easier than you think. From shutting off the water when you brush your teeth to taking shorter showers, these are just some of the many ways you can work towards conserving H2O. Another more efficient way to prevent water waste is to invest in a water pressure regulator. If you have noticed that your water pressure is suddenly higher than usual, then this might be the best investment for you.
Think of water pressure in your plumbing system like when the doctor takes your blood pressure. High blood pressure is linked to many other health problems. High water pressure in your home leads to problems like burst pipes, shortened life of your appliances, and also wastes a lot of water.
The water pressure regulator not only is a great way to save water, but it also can help avoid unnecessary plumbing repairs. For more on how you can benefit from a water pressure regulator, check out: http://bit.ly/2VwdjsW
Time for an Upgrade
As you are looking over your fixtures and water pressure, pay close attention to your hot water quality, too. An often overlooked appliance is your home is the water heater. On average, most homeowners don’t think about this unit until there’s a breakdown — but often an upgrade is one of the best decisions you can make in your living space. If your water heater is old or inefficient, you might want to consider atankless unit. By going tankless, you can save money down the road, using your shower and other appliances (like your washer and dishwasher) at the same time and more.
A tankless unit only heats water when needed (on demand), instead of holding a tank of hot water until needed; you’ll waste less water and energy, too.
Other home things to keep an eye out for are:
-
Gas Leaks
-
Sump pump issues
-
Old pipes
-
Poor water quality
-
Toilet issues, such as always running, leaks, or a broken flapper
Time to Mind Your Drains
That slow draining shower, or that gurgling sink, isn’t going to fix itself. Now is the time to tackle these issues before your slew of summer guests arrive. Though your small clogs can often be fixed with a plunger or a snake, sometimes, a significant clog is present and could be doing more damage to your plumbing than you think. Here’s when you should call a professional:
-
Funny sounds coming from your drain
-
Recurring problems
-
Poor draining
-
Bad Odors
As summer begins, you’ll want to ensure you are paying mind to your drain care. These tips can help keep your drains as clean as possible (LINK TO THIS MONTHS DRAIN BLOG).
Pipeline Inspection
When a drain blockage occurs and snaking, plus hydro jetting, isn’t doing the trick, the next step is to get a camera inspection. This easy process can help identify the problem head-on so we can get your drain problems fixed for good. The best part? It only takes a few hours!
Thermostat Check
Your thermostat is a vital part of your HVAC system, and when it’s not working as it should, you could experience energy waste and poor temperature quality. Keep an eye out to see if your temperature reading seems to match — and if you haven’t made the switch to digital yet, now’s the time to do so. A modern thermostat can not only provide you with efficient temperatures throughout your home, but they can save presets, let you know when your system needs repairs, and more. Contact us to find out more about your thermostat options.
AC Summer Prep
And now, the grand finale to your essential summer checklist: your AC! Though those hot summer days aren’t here just yet, you’ll want to make sure the system is ready to go. Trust us, you don’t want to wait until it’s too late to find out that your system isn’t ready to beat the heat. Now is the time to clean the filters, schedule your tune-up, and ensure your air ducts are prepared to provide you with clean, cool indoor air. Here’s how to know if your AC is ready for summer
If you do feel that your indoor air quality is not where it should be, are experiencing humidity issues, or family members suffer from allergy or asthma symptoms, then you might want to consider some of our Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) options. From humidifiers to air scrubber purification systems, you can improve your air quality and fight those allergens head on.
Now that you have inspected all your HVAC and plumbing, it’s now time to tackle all the issues you find — and that’s where we come in. From plumbing leaks to HVAC upgrades, Anderson Plumbing, Heating and Air is here to help! Contact us today to get your summer checklist done.