Summer brings heat, humidity and a lot more water use. That puts real stress on household plumbing, and problems that were building quietly all spring tend to show up right when you have a house full of guests. Here are the summer problems we see most, what causes them and what to do.
Heavier water use strains the whole system
More showers, more laundry, more watering, more guests. Pipes, water heaters and fixtures that handled winter fine can start to show wear when use spikes.
Early signs include lower water pressure around the house, a water heater that can't keep up with back-to-back showers, a higher water bill than you expected, and hot water that takes longer to arrive. If pressure or hot water drops suddenly, it may point to something more than a busy weekend, and it is worth a call.
Outdoor faucets after a long winter
After sitting all winter, outdoor faucets often have damage that only shows when you turn them on. Cracked fittings and worn washers are common after a hard winter. Watch for a faucet that drips or leaks at the base, water inside the basement wall when the faucet runs, soggy spots in the yard that rain doesn't explain, and water pooling at the foundation.
A faucet that leaks inside the wall when you turn it on usually froze and split last winter. That needs fixing before it soaks the wall.
Sewer backups after heavy rain
Summer storms here can be intense, and the area has a long history of stormwater and sewer overloads. When heavy rain saturates the ground, it gets into older sewer lines through cracks and joints, and an overloaded public sewer can push water back toward your house.
Warning signs include several drains backing up at once, gurgling from toilets or floor drains after rain, sewer odor from basement drains, and slow drains on the lowest level. A backup is not something to wait out. Sewage in a living space is a health hazard. Keeping your main line clean with regular Drain Cleaning gives it more room to handle a storm.
Kitchen drains during cookout season
More cooking means more scraps headed down the kitchen drain. Corn husks, melon rinds, potato peels and grease are behind a lot of summer kitchen clogs. Keep fibrous scraps and grease out of the drain, and run cold water before, during and after using a disposal. A sink that keeps draining slowly or smells bad usually has buildup in the line that needs to be cleared.
Water heater sediment
Our moderately hard water leaves sediment in water heater tanks, and summer is often when people notice it, because demand is higher. Rumbling or popping while the heater runs, uneven temperatures, rusty hot water and higher energy bills are the signs. An annual flush clears sediment and helps the tank last. If the heater is past 10 years old and showing these symptoms, it may be time to plan a replacement on your schedule instead of waiting for it to fail.
Washing machine hoses
More laundry puts more strain on the washer's supply hoses. Rubber hoses that have been in place for years can crack, bulge or burst, and a burst hose can flood a laundry room in minutes. Check yours for cracks, bulges, soft spots and mineral crust at the connections. If they are rubber and more than about five years old, swap them for braided stainless steel. It is a cheap change that prevents a big mess.
A summer check-up
Most summer plumbing problems are preventable with a little attention and a timely repair. If something seems off, we handle the full range of Plumbing Repair, from a leaking faucet to a backed-up main line. There is no service fee, you get a flat-rate written estimate first, and every repair carries at least a 1-year warranty.
Call (224) 567-2501. We serve Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, the North Shore and the northwest suburbs, and we answer 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my water pressure lower in summer?
Heavier use across the house and the neighborhood can lower pressure slightly. A sudden or large drop points to something else, like a failing regulator, a leak or old galvanized pipe, and is worth having checked.
What causes sewer backups in summer?
Heavy storms overload the public sewer and get into older lines through cracks and joints, pushing water back toward the house. A partly blocked lateral makes it much more likely.
How often should washing machine hoses be replaced?
Rubber hoses should be checked every year and replaced about every five years. Braided stainless steel hoses are a better long-term choice.
What should I keep out of my kitchen drain?
Grease, oil, corn husks, melon rinds, potato peels and other fibrous scraps. They are behind many summer kitchen clogs.