Prep for Summer With Our 10 Plumbing & AC Tips
December 17, 2023
Summer. It’s arguably the busiest season of the whole year. School is out, yard work is constant, vacations are being planned, and outdoor activities abound. With all the hustle and bustle that goes on during summer, there are some things that are bound to get lost in the shuffle. Take your indoor comfort for instance. Have you prepped your cooling unit or your plumbing system for the season to come? Don’t worry. If not, we’ve got your back.
Gain Peace of Mind With a Comfy Home
Ensuring that your family enjoys comfort all summer is essential. And to gain this peace of mind, we recommend one thing—prepping your home now—before the craziness begins. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your home cozy and cool, we have 10 plumbing and HVAC tips that are certain to leave you stress-free this summer.
- Turn off the Water Heater Before Vacationing
Have you recently had water heater installation? Then you’ll want to protect your investment. If you’re going on vacation, it’s recommended to turn off your water heater. (Some water heaters have a “vacation mode” setting.) This gives you peace of mind knowing your home is safe and nothing will burst while you’re away. And no, it won’t damage your water heater either.
- Prep Your Washing Machine
Another pre-vacation task is to keep your washing lid open after doing your last load prior to leaving. This allows the appliance to “breathe” and will prevent mildew, mold, and smelly odors from developing.
- Schedule Annual Maintenance
Don’t let that annual plumbing or service plan go to waste. Call for your regular AC maintenance or plumbing maintenance appointment now and your system will run flawlessly all season.
- Inspect Your Sewer Line
It’s always a good idea to check your sewer line each summer. This helps prevent unwanted repairs and any excessive damage that could be caused from backed up drains. Catching problems early helps prevent major problems down the road.
- Clean Your Outside AC Unit
Be sure you have a two-foot clearance around your outside cooling unit. Remove any debris or clutter that has accumulated on it throughout the year.
- Inspect Your Toilet
Toilet running? If so, you could be wasting up to 200 gallons of water per day. If it keeps running long after flushing, you could have a disconnected fill tube, a defective toilet flapper, an improper fill height or a flapper chain that is the wrong length. Call us for a quick fix!
- Call For Drain Cleaning Service
If you’ve been noticing backed-up drains for a while, a professional interior drain cleaning can be just what the plumbing doctor ordered. Don’t ignore signs associated with clogged drains. They can lead to huge problems later!
- Replace Old Air Filters With Fresh Ones
Prevent premature HVAC replacement and even emergency AC repair by changing your air filters regularly. Changing filters every three months or more is recommended. And if you’re unsure which air filter is best for your home, we can help!
- Freshen the Garbage Disposal
Is the garbage disposal starting to smell? Time for cleaning! Turn the disposal off, then dump half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of vinegar. Let sit for about 10 to 15 minutes before running hot water into the drain. Turn the disposal on and run until the mixture is gone.
- Clean the Gutters
Clogged gutters can prevent your water from flowing properly through your drainpipes and away from your foundation. If water can’t flow, you risk overwhelming your sump pump if excess water ends up in your basement. Take precautions each summer to clear out the gutters and reattach any drainpipes that might have become loose.
Enjoy Peace of Mind This Summer
Now that you know all the inside tips for prepping your home this summer, you can enjoy your season with 100% peace of mind. Remember, your best bet for a highly functioning AC or plumbing system is to simply pay attention and maintain proper upkeep all year round. And when you need help, Blue Dot will be there for any service help you need!
Last Updated: December 17, 2023