Vacations, pool parties, and family barbecues-here comes summer! It's a time for lots of fun,  and the last thing you want to do is deal with a plumbing emergency like a sewage backup, water leak, or clogged drain. Hopefully you had your spring maintenance done and got a head start. If not, make sure you do these things before the weather heats up.

Check Your Toilets for Small Leaks 

The quickest and easiest way to do this is the dye test where you put a few drops of food coloring into the tank and see if the bowl water turns that color without flushing. Check the floater and attached valve to see if the hardware is worn (which happens more quickly with hard water conditions). If the valve isn't seated correctly, water can leak out and your toilet will "run." Finally, straddle the closed toilet and use both hands to wiggle it back and forth. Does the floor feel soft or springy? It might mean you have a leak underneath the toilet.

Clean Your Sump Pump 

Summer not only brings warm weather fun, it also brings Jacksonville's famous summer storms. To keep your sump pump working properly, it should be cleaned several times a year. All you need is some plastic sheeting, a scraping tool, a garden hose, a large bucket, and a shop vac.

• Disconnect the power by unplugging.
• Wrap the pump in the plastic sheeting.
• Clean the pump with the garden hose and use the scraping tool when necessary.
• Put the bucket beneath the check valve, open it, and let any water drain into the bucket for disposal.
• Use the shop vac to remove any remaining water.

Then simply reconnect the pump and plug it back in.

Inspect All Your Faucets and Pipes Below Your Sinks

Check under all the sinks in your home to make sure there aren't any leaks. Don't forget to check the garbage disposal, too. Turn on faucets to see if there's any seeping or corrosion that needs to be dealt with.

Check Your Appliance Water Supply Hoses  

Summertime usually means more laundry so be sure to inspect your washing machine hoses for bulges, cracks, and leaks. As an extra precaution, make sure the machine is at least four inches from the wall to prevent hose kinking.

Test Your Outdoor Faucets 

In fact, inspect all water-related outdoor elements including sprinklers and the pool to see if they're in good working order. Sprinklers in particular are notorious for wasting water and sometimes spring leaks underground. Test each zone individually to see if heads are working properly. Check each outdoor faucet for leaks and make sure the handles turn easily.

Consider Investing in a Tankless Water Heater and Water Softener 

Another great tip is to adjust your water heater in the summer to keep it from constantly running. Or you can make the investment in a tankless water heater and water softener so that you have an endless supply of hot water that only heats up when you want it. The up to 40% energy savings you'll realize is also a nice benefit!

Understand the Importance of Twice-Yearly Maintenance

Don't have your summer fun interrupted by a plumbing emergency. Twice-yearly maintenance for your plumbing system will help you avoid many issues before they become major problems. To learn more about preparing your Jacksonville home's plumbing for summer or to schedule maintenance service, contact David Gray Plumbing today by calling us at (904) 467-0784 or contacting us online.