Summer Plumbing Tips

Despite cold winters, New York City is not immune to warmer temperatures during the summer months, with approximately 75 days within the year spent above 80 degrees. Because of the large variance of temperatures from winter to summer, Brooklyn and Manhattan homes experience a large amount of stress – especially in regards to plumbing.

As temperatures rise, pipes and other plumbing components are exposed to new threats that can lead to costly repairs. If you’re looking to keep your New York City plumbing system in tip-top shape throughout the summer and beyond, make sure to follow these tips from the pros at Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning.

• Be watchful of garbage disposal use: Summer in NYC tends to bring with it an influx of festivities such as cookouts and parties – resulting an increase in food scraps. While garbage disposal systems are a great way to reduce cleanup time and waste buildup, they should never be treated like a garbage can. It’s a wise idea to keep large pieces of produce, like corn cobs and watermelon rinds, out of disposals as well as food grease. When you do use the system, make sure to leave cold water running just a few seconds before you turn it off.
• Pay attention to your washing machine: It’s typical for a residential clothes washing machine to see its most use during the summer as pool visits, outside activities and stay-at-home children tend to lead to more loads of laundry. This adds extra stress to your washing machine, and if these units break, they can often cause serious damage – especially if left unnoticed. Try to wash your clothes while you’re home so that if things should go wrong, you can end the cycle and contact a professional immediately.
• Check for leaks: New York City tends to see a heavy amount of rainfall during summer, with many monthly averages approaching seven inches. Increased rainfall coupled with higher temperatures leaves home pipes more susceptible to leaking, causing wasted water to have a negative effect on your utility bill. While some leaks are fairly obvious, others can go undetected without a professional inspection – which is the best way to determine the true status of your home plumbing.

For many homeowners, taking preventative measures to combat the issues of summer can go a long way, but some problems can be too much to handle – even for a long-time do-it-yourselfer. For these issues, it’s encouraged to contact your area’s trusted Brooklyn plumber, Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning, for all summer plumbing needs. To find out more, contact Petri today by calling 718-748-1254.