There are lots of things that need to be done before summer arrives. One of them is your drains. It is vital to make sure your drains are ready for the season. Proper maintenance of drains is essential to ensure that there are no clogs or blockages and minimize the risk of flooding. Check your drains now, visit this Blocked Drains in Wakefield for help.
In the UK, rain in the summer is expected to be more intense than usual. (1) This sort of rain can cause indoor flooding if you’re not prepared. While locating the source is easy, understanding the extent of a drainage problem is more complicated. Here are five steps you should take for preparing your drains for summer.
Inspect your water heater to ensure it’s functioning correctly and has no leaks.
The functioning of your water heater is an essential component of the process of preparing your drains. It’s easy to ignore a water heater in the summer months. However, now, when it’s not freezing, is when you should inspect the heater to ensure it is functioning properly. Hiring a professional HVAC person is always recommended, and you are more likely to get an appointment when you want now as opposed to in the winter. When hiring a professional, go by recommendations from family, friends or neighbours, good reviews, etc.
Check your water pressure.
What happens during the summer? Chances are good that there will be increased water usage by your family just due to the nature of the summer season. However, when there is too much water at one time, it can strain your pipes. Therefore, it’s essential to have your water pressure checked before summer arrives.
You can do this task yourself by using a water pressure gauge. It can help you determine the proper pressure. Typically, anything above 80 pounds per square inch (psi) is too high. If you suspect the pressure is too high, a professional can help you get it regulated.
Give your sewer lines an inspection.
When it rains a lot, the rain can flood your sewer lines, especially if there are cracks in the pipes, which can lead to water leakage and other issues. Therefore, it’s important to check them and make sure they are in good working order before the start of summer. You can inspect the drainage system for any broken pipes or cracks yourself. Or you can hire a professional plumber to inspect your pipes and repair any cracks before you have a significant problem on your hands. Always hire a professional if you are not sufficiently trained in looking for broken pipes or cracks.
Clean your drains.
Before summer arrives, preparing your drains to ensure they not only don’t have cracks but are also clear is critical. This involves removing any debris or sediment that may have built up inside the pipes over time. When your drains are clear, you will increase the water flow rate through them. Doing this will help reduce the risk of flooding and other issues that may arise when too much water begins to accumulate in one area. This task is important, and unless you are trained to handle it, tackling such a task on your own is not recommended. Before summer arrives, make it a point to schedule professional drain cleaning to ensure that your drains are clear and functioning correctly.
Clear your gutters to prevent any debris from clogging your drains.
When it comes to drains, gutter maintenance is crucial. Maintaining gutters not only keeps them lasting longer but also prevents them from clogging your drains. You may think of cleaning your gutters as more of a fall activity. However, with a highly possible increase in rain in the UK summer months, cleaning your gutters before summer arrives is important.
Suppose you keep your gutters clean by clearing them out regularly; great. But what if you haven’t? Summer is almost here, and if your gutters are clogged with pine needles, leaves, twigs and other debris, all of that rainwater will overflow. You don’t want rainwater affecting the foundation of your home. When it does, that’s where pipes can be negatively affected.
You can clean your gutters yourself. However, as with most things drain related, it’s always advised to hire a professional to ensure the job is done right.
Summer is a great time of year to enjoy the warmer weather, but it’s also an excellent time to prepare your home’s drains to ensure they function correctly. Preparing your drains for summer is essential for a safe and enjoyable summer season. Inspecting your water heater, checking your water pressure, inspecting your sewer line, cleaning your drains, and cleaning your gutters can all go a long way towards ensuring your drains are ready for the hot weather!