Summer Plumbing Blues

Summer makes you think of sunshine and laughter — unless, of course, you happen to be a plumber. Then you’ll have a slate of common summer plumbing issues on your mind. We here at RAM Plumbing service the Tucson area all year round, with each season bringing a distinct set of common problems. Here are some of the most common we see in summer, along with tips for preventing them from happening.

Clogged Toilet Plumbing Problems

Your toilets tend to get a heavy workout during the summer. The kids are home from school. Friends and family members visit more frequently than usual. You may host extra parties and barbecues. All this activity, especially on the part of kids who may use too much toilet paper, can lead to plumbing issues. Unclogging the toilet is often as easy as keeping a plunger near each toilet in your home.

Preventing clogged toilets can start by giving your kids a lesson on toilet usage. Show them how much toilet paper is usually a good amount. Tell them not to flush the toilet repeatedly, but only after they’ve used it. Outline things that should never be flushed down the toilet, such as chewing gum, bandages, and sister’s little toys.

Garbage Disposal Plumbing Problems

All those extra summer parties and barbecues can leave you with loads of food debris that have no business going into your garbage disposal. Just because produce may be organic doesn’t mean it’s well-suited for your in-sink disposal. Vegetables and fruits with tough rinds or skins should not go down the disposal. This especially holds true for things like watermelon and corn on the cob. Cooking oil can eventually lead to clogs, as can coffee grinds and bones.

Keep your garbage disposal running smoothly by again teaching family members what they can and cannot put in it. Run cold water for a few seconds before and after every use to prevent jams by clearing away lingering debris.

Sewer Line Plumbing Problems

When heavy rains hit during Tucson summers, they can wreak havoc on the streets — and in the sewers. If sewer pipes are cracked, heavy rainwater can cause a sewer line backup. Tree roots are notorious for cracking sewer pipes, and pipes can also weaken with age.

The best prevention for sewer line backups is having RAM Plumbing come out for an annual inspection of your sewer pipelines. As an added precaution, you can also install drain plugs in every drain in your home. This prevents gallons of water from backups from seeping into your bathtub, shower, and sinks. If your toilet has grey water, or flushes slowly, that’s another sign to give us a call.

Practicing these prevention methods can help stop summer plumbing problems before they even start. If you’re still having plumbing issues, contact us any time of the year. We’re always happy to help.