Most of us know about the most common plumbing problems in winter – but what kinds of plumbing issues come about in the summer months? As the weather hots up, we take a look at the top summer plumbing problems and how to fix them.

BLOCKAGES: SHOWER DRAINS AND SINKS

Nothing beats a day out in the sun – but cleaning yourself up after those long, hot, sticky days of summer can take their toll on your bathroom! A nice refreshing shower might become a twice-daily occurrence for some people, and all that extra washing can mean a quick buildup of gunk in your fixtures.

The cooler hand washing and showering temperatures people tend to use in summer don’t provide enough heat to melt the lipids and soap residue in wastewater – and when hair gets thrown into the mix, it’s a recipe for blocked drains.

Days at the beach can introduce sand to your drains, and even just cleaning up after gardening can dump dirt into your pipework. Dirty, sandy clothes in your washing machine can cause further problems with your drainage system.

Showers, baths and sinks are always susceptible to these kinds of blockages – but you may notice them even more in summer holidays, when the kids are around the house more, too.

UNBLOCKING DRAINS

This can be tricky if access is limited or you don’t have tools to hand. Some newer plumbing installations use hand-tightened or push-fit pipes, which let you easily access and remove blockages – but if you’re in an older house or flat, things might be harder to get to.

There are drain clearing products available to buy, but they’re not always effective. Worse still, use the wrong one and you could cause even more damage to your drains.

Trying to push the blockage through may cause it to get trapped further down the pipework, leading to even more problems when trying to remove it.

You could try using boiling water, or hooking the blockage out with an old coat hanger. But the best bet is to call a plumber – proper tools, a full investigation and the right knowledge are the only way to get the job done right.

TOILETS

Summer can be cruel to toilets, too! We won’t go into too much detail about it – but just as a reminder, here’s a list of things to NEVER flush down the toilet:

  • Dirty cat litter
  • Paper towels
  • Condoms
  • Hair
  • Tampons and pads
  • Dental floss
  • Bandages and plasters
  • Wet wipes
  • Oil, grease, fat – or any other food

If you do have a toilet blockage, use a dedicated toilet plunger (the kind with a closed, bulbous rubber end). If a plunger doesn’t work, the problem could be much deeper – and it’s time to get a plumber out. Please don’t attempt to push through blockages unless you know what you’re doing and have the right equipment – we don’t have to tell you how bad the damage from sewage leaks can be!

SEIZED AND LEAKY OUTDOOR TAPS

Ah, the humble outdoor tap – filler of paddling pools, master of sprinklers and winner of one-sided water fights. For the plants in your garden, there could be no worse start to a sunny day than finding your outdoor tap seized shut by months of inactivity.

There are many reasons an outdoor tap can seize, including over tightening and corrosion. Winter frosts can cause contraction and make the problem worse. You could try a spray of WD40 and gentle persuasion with a rubber mallet and some leverage. First, stop your water at the mains or find the isolation valve before your outdoor tap. Then, apply a squirt of WD40 to the seized area and knock the tap with a rubber mallet. This can help dislodge corrosion and make the tap easier to move.

You can try getting some extra leverage with a wrench – but be careful not to cause damage through excessive force. If all else fails, it’s time to replace the tap.

GET A PLUMBER OUT!

Do you need a local plumber? Talk to Prestige Plumbers today. We cover Southampton, Portsmouth, Fareham and wider Hampshire. Call us now on 0800 0886 417.