How the Summer Heat Can Create a Plumbing Disaster

The heat might have you worried about how your air conditioner is going to fare in rising temperatures — but that’s not the only thing that could go on the fritz this summer. Plumbing and heating don’t go hand-in-hand, so it’s important to keep an eye out for issues. These plumbing issues often arise due to warmer temperatures, severe storms and an influx of people in the home.

While it may not be on the top of your summer to-do list, scheduling regular plumbing inspections and repairs can help you avoid an expensive disaster. We encourage our customers to keep an eye on their plumbing but to also rely on professionals like our certified technicians to perform inspections, repair small leaks before they get to be too big and provide top recommendations on how your plumbing system could be improved.

Here are a few ways a heat wave can wreak havoc on your plumbing and how to avoid these issues, as well as how to repair the problems when they arise.

Clogged Drains & Disposals

Maybe the kids are home from school – or perhaps you’re doing some backyard BBQs and entertaining friends. Either way, chances are your plumbing is getting used a lot more than average.

One of the main reasons people call Bradley Mechanical to help with their plumbing is due to a clogged sink or toilet. There are some at-home methods of unclogging your drains, such as using your handy plunger or pouring boiling water down the drain, but you may need to do this a few times. For a more serious clog, a Bradley Mechanical technician can get out to you quickly. We know how important it is to keep your house running in the busy summer months.

Another reason people may give us a call is a clogged garbage disposal. Oftentimes these clogs occur after a big party or backyard cookout. Starchy and fatty foods such as meat scraps, bacon grease, corn, and rice can easily clog a sink. Boiling water and chemical cleaners may be helpful, but you may need professional help if these steps don’t work. It’s important to avoid reaching down into your disposal for any reason.

Leaks

Drains aren’t the only part of your plumbing that can suffer from stress and overuse. Swimming pools, sprinklers, garden hoses and more can all put added pressure on your plumbing and cause pipes to crack. If it hasn’t rained in a while, the ground under your house can also dry out — which can make your water main more susceptible to cracks or leaks.

Sometimes these leaks are as obvious as wet spots in your ceiling. Other indicators may be a significant increase in your water bill, continuous ticking coming from your water meter and mold and mildew growth. If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to call a plumbing professional to perform a thorough inspection, as water leaks can be hidden behind walls, underneath floors and in your house’s foundation.

Structural Damage

We’re always on the lookout for pipe bursts in the winter, but as the heat beats down on your home, pipes may expand and cause cracks in the summer as well. Extreme heat can cause your metal pipes to expand further and potentially require a complete replacement. It usually takes years for the UV rays to have this effect on your home, so it’s important to take the first signs of structural damage seriously. Cracked pipes and water mains can lead to expensive repairs — so give Bradley Mechanical a call, and we can address the issue and provide helpful solutions to avoid future damage.

Another major problem can come from the growth of your trees. Tree roots grow during the warmer months and can grow around, under and over your plumbing pipes. This can cause serious backups and damage to your plumbing system if not addressed.

Plumbing Services at the Ready

Every second counts when it comes to plumbing repairs — as water damage can spread fast. Even if it seems like a small leak or an annoying drip, chances are there’s a bigger problem you can’t see. To avoid plumbing issues this summer, make sure you have Bradley Mechanical’s emergency hotline on hand for our 24/7 plumbing services.

When our team of plumbers arrives, we don’t waste a second of time. We’re prepared to handle leaks big and small, as well as clogs, backups and more. We want you to enjoy the summer months as much as possible, so we’ll do our best to address the issue quickly and effectively.

Give us a call today to learn more about our plumbing services, repairs and installations.