In the sunny, mild summers of the Pacific Northwest, it’s easy to forget that your plumbing still needs care. But the warmer months bring their own set of challenges—from increased water usage to seasonal wear on your system. At Pipelining Northwest, we believe a little summer prep goes a long way toward avoiding mid-season surprises and keeping your home running smoothly.
Let’s break it down into simple, proactive tasks for both inside and outside your home.
Start with the Essentials
Summer is the perfect time to do a plumbing checkup—especially before guests, garden parties, or road trips stretch your system to its limits.
✅ Inspect exposed pipes and fittings in basements, crawlspaces, and utility rooms. Look for condensation, corrosion, or slow leaks that could worsen over time.
✅ Test water pressure throughout the house. Low pressure could be a sign of a hidden leak or mineral buildup.
✅ Check shutoff valves to ensure they turn easily. In an emergency, you want fast control.
Outdoor Plumbing Prep
With more time spent outside, it’s important to make sure your exterior plumbing is in top shape:
💧 Inspect and test outdoor spigots. Look for leaks around hose bibs and fittings—especially if they froze during the winter.
💧 Check sprinkler systems for cracked heads or leaky valves. A small drip here can waste thousands of gallons over the summer.
💧 Install a backflow preventer if you don’t already have one. It protects your drinking water from contamination in case of pressure changes.
And don’t forget to disconnect hoses when not in use to avoid water pressure build-up and potential damage.
Water Heater TLC
Even in the summer, your water heater is working behind the scenes—especially if you’ve got guests or increased laundry loads.
☀️ Flush the tank to remove sediment, which can build up faster during hot weather and reduce efficiency.
☀️ Inspect the anode rod and temperature setting (aim for 120°F for safety and energy savings).
☀️ Listen for odd sounds—popping or banging can indicate mineral buildup inside the tank.
A tuned-up water heater ensures consistent hot water and keeps your energy bills lower all season.
Keep the Sump Pump Summer-Ready
Summer rains or melting snowpacks can still flood basements, especially in low-lying areas. Make sure your sump pump is ready:
🌧️ Test it with a bucket of water. The pump should activate and discharge properly.
🌧️ Clear the pit of any debris and check the discharge pipe for clogs.
🌧️ Verify backup power systems (like a battery backup) in case of summer storms or outages.
Save Water, Save Money
Summer water bills can spike fast. Here are a few easy ways to cut waste:
🚿 Install water-saving showerheads and faucet aerators.
🚽 Check toilets for silent leaks by adding food coloring to the tank—if it seeps into the bowl, you’ve got a leak.
🌿 Water lawns early or late in the day to reduce evaporation.
🧼 Wait for full loads before running dishwashers or washing machines.
Vacation Prep Checklist
Heading out of town? Don’t come back to an unexpected leak or flood.
🏖️ Turn off the main water supply before leaving for extended periods.
🏖️ Drain outside hoses and check for dripping faucets.
🏖️ Ask a friend or neighbor to do a quick check-in if you're gone more than a week.
Older Home Considerations
Many older homes in the region still rely on aging pipes or outdated connections. Summer is a great time to:
🔧 Upgrade galvanized or lead plumbing to safer, longer-lasting materials.
🧱 Add insulation or reroute exposed lines to reduce temperature swings that can weaken pipes over time.
🚿 Install pressure regulators to prevent strain on aging systems during peak water use hours.
Final Thoughts
Just because summer feels easy doesn’t mean your plumbing should be out of mind. Seasonal maintenance now helps prevent big problems later—whether it’s unexpected leaks, water waste, or system failures.
At Pipelining Northwest, we’re here to help keep your home running cool, clean, and worry-free.
Call us today for a summer inspection or trenchless repair consultation.