Your home’s plumbing system typically gets much more use during the summer. Water usage tends to be at its highest during warmer months since you might need to water your lawn and garden at least a few times a month. The fact that your plumbing gets so much use during the summer means that issues can easily arise, and this is especially true for all outdoor plumbing fixtures like hose bibs and sprinkler systems. With that in mind, here are some simple outdoor plumbing tips that can help to prevent issues from arising this summer and also keep your water bills from suddenly skyrocketing.
Inspect All of Your Hose Bibs and Hoses
Whenever the weather starts to warm up, it’s a good idea to quickly inspect all of your outdoor hose bibs and any hoses you may need to use. If your hose bibs look rusty or are difficult to open and close, you may want to have them replaced as this can prevent leaks and other issues. A hose bib that doesn’t fully close and that constantly drips is also an issue you’ll want to have fixed as soon as possible as a leaky hose bib can potentially waste 20,000 or even 30,000 gallons of water per month.
You should also make sure that your hoses aren’t leaking because this can make watering your lawn and garden less effective and contribute to increased water usage. You should also make sure that the rubber O-rings in your hoses are in good shape. The O-ring works to ensure that there is a watertight seal between the hose and the hose bib. If the O-ring is cracked or you have any hoses that are missing the O-ring, water will constantly leak out around the hose bib whenever the hose is in use.
Monitor Your Sprinkler System for Leaks
Underground sprinkler systems are notorious for leaking, so you should always watch for any signs that may indicate your system has a leak or any other issues. Damaged or rusty sprinkler heads should always be replaced to prevent leaks and ensure your lawn gets enough water. If you notice that part of your lawn grows much more quickly and is greener and lusher than the rest of the yard, this is a fairly sure sign that one of the underground sprinkler lines or a sprinkler head is leaking. The same is true if you have standing water in one part of the yard or the ground in one area feels soft and spongy.
We would also recommend replacing your sprinkler control if it doesn’t have a rain monitor. A rain monitor can lower your water usage as it will ensure the sprinkler system doesn’t come on after it rains or when rain is predicted.
Use Timers to Prevent Water Waste and Overwatering
If you use a hose and sprinkler to water your lawn and garden or have any type of garden irrigation system or drip system, it is always a good idea to have the system run on a timer. Having the system on a timer will ensure that it always gets water and make it so that you don’t have to go out and turn the water on and off. Timers will also prevent issues with overwatering and water waste since you won’t need to worry about accidentally forgetting to shut the water off.
Keep Debris From Going Down Outdoor Sinks
Many homes have outdoor sinks in the patio or barbecue area, and these sinks will often collect leaves, dirt, and debris. If you do have an outdoor sink, you may want to consider covering it or at least plugging the drain when not in use. The main thing you want to do is make sure you’re not washing lots of debris down the drain since this can lead to the drain or your main sewer line becoming clogged. You should also make sure to never wash fat, oil, or grease down the sink as this will greatly increase the risk of a serious clog and could potentially lead to expensive sewer repairs.
At Gunthers Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing, our team can help ensure that all of your outdoor plumbing works as it should this summer. We specialize in faucet and hose bib repairs and installation as well as drain cleaning, leak detection and repairs, and a full range of other plumbing services. Our team can also ensure that your AC functions effectively all summer long, and we specialize in heating and indoor air quality services as well. Give us a call today if you have any questions or to schedule any plumbing or HVAC service in American Fork or the surrounding areas.
