With the UK basking in beautiful sunshine, it is inevitable all of the associated entertaining, outdoor fun, and gardening we will be doing at home puts increased demand on our water systems. To ensure you’re prepared, and ready to spot potential problems that may occur this summer, we recommend you keep your eyes peeled for issues with:
1.Blocked toilets
Whether it is because the kids are off school or because you’re hosting a BBQ for 30, most household toilets see increased usage over the summer. This in turn leaves you more at risk of a blockage. If waste is unable to flow away, you could find it comes back up from the toilet which could lead to a flood – not the kind of surprise any of us like. In most instances a plunger should be sufficient to rectify the block, but in severe cases you may need to get the plumber out. And with Thames Water stating that, ‘fat, wet wipes, and feminine hygiene products are the biggest cause of the 85,000 blockages we have to clear every year’, it could be worth reminding everyone what can and can’t be flushed down the loo.
2.Washing machines
With all of those sun-filled days in the garden or at the beach, it is quite likely that you’ll be going through extra clothes, and that you’ll be throwing additional loads into the washing machine over the warmer months. Blocked or cracked waterlines are the most common end result of all the extra cycles. We recommend calling out a plumber if your machine isn’t cleaning as effectively as usual or if it doesn’t seem to be drawing in water properly.
3.Leaking garden tap
As we start to use our outside spaces more in the summer, many of us get a little more green-fingered. Daily watering of plants and lawns can result in garden taps wearing out over time. One of the most common issues we see is a leaking tap, which is an easy fix more often than not.
4.Sprinkler systems
If you’ve got grass in your garden, you’ll likely prefer to look out over a lush green lawn than parched-looking yellow spots. To ensure a sufficient water supply, you may have installed a sprinkler system linked to your garden tap. If this is the case, summertime will bring with it the need for additional maintenance to keep the system running smoothly: check pressure regularly, clean sprinkler heads and check the lines to spot problems early.
5.Sewer line backups
Whilst the rain has stayed away so far, it is pretty much guaranteed that there will be an epic downpour soon (we do live in the UK after all). And when it comes, these summer thunderstorms tend to dump a lot of water in a short space of time, increasing the risk of a backup. Signs of trouble include toilet water backing up in the bathtub drain and multiple drains clogged simultaneously (especially if they’re in rooms you don’t often use). If you notice either, call an experienced plumber as soon as possible. A quick visit to inspect your pipes to ensure everything is in working order may be all that is needed.
And finally, remain vigilant for water leaks. These can occur at any time of the year, but left unchecked could mean you end up with bigger problems than necessary.
Don’t let summer plumbing problems ruin your fun in the sun. For help in an emergency or for unbiased advice, call Platinum Plumbers on 020 8855 0361 or email us at .
