As summer comes to an end and families settle back into school routines, your home’s plumbing system begins working a little harder. More morning showers, additional loads of laundry, packed lunches, and busy evenings all increase the demand on your plumbing.
August is an excellent time to perform a few simple plumbing checks before your schedule gets hectic. As a licensed Oklahoma plumber, I’ve seen many small issues turn into expensive repairs simply because they went unnoticed during the busy back-to-school season.
Use this plumbing maintenance checklist to help keep your home running smoothly.
1. Inspect Every Toilet
A running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water each day, increasing your monthly utility bill without you realizing it.
Walk through your home and check each toilet for:
- Constant running water
- Water that continues flowing after flushing
- Loose or constantly moving handles
- Water around the base of the toilet
- Slow or weak flushing
If you hear water running long after a flush, it may be time to replace a flapper, fill valve, or another internal component. Addressing these issues early can save both water and money.
2. Check Your Water Heater
Your water heater works overtime once everyone returns to school. Morning showers, dishwashing, and laundry all place additional demand on the system.
Take a few minutes to inspect for:
- Water pooling around the base
- Rust or corrosion
- Unusual popping or rumbling noises
- Inconsistent hot water temperatures
If your water heater is more than eight to ten years old or hasn’t been serviced recently, a professional inspection can help identify potential problems before they lead to an unexpected breakdown.
3. Give Your Garbage Disposal Some Attention
Summer cookouts, fresh produce, and family gatherings can leave your garbage disposal working harder than usual.
To help keep it operating properly:
- Run cold water before, during, and after using the disposal.
- Avoid putting grease, oils, coffee grounds, pasta, rice, bones, or fibrous vegetables down the drain.
- Grind a few small ice cubes to help clean the grinding chamber.
- Freshen the disposal by grinding citrus peels.
If the disposal hums, drains slowly, or frequently jams, it may need professional repair.
4. Inspect Washing Machine Hoses
Back-to-school means more laundry. One of the most overlooked plumbing components in any home is the washing machine hose.
Look for:
- Bulges or cracks
- Loose fittings
- Signs of leaking
- Rust around the connections
Rubber hoses typically wear out faster than braided stainless steel hoses. Replacing aging hoses before they fail can help prevent costly water damage.
5. Clear Bathroom Drains
With everyone getting ready at the same time each morning, slow bathroom drains quickly become frustrating.
Watch for:
- Standing water in sinks
- Slow-draining showers
- Gurgling sounds
- Unpleasant odors
Hair, soap residue, and toothpaste buildup are common causes of clogs. Avoid using harsh chemical drain cleaners, as repeated use can damage your plumbing. If drains continue slowing after basic cleaning, professional drain cleaning may be the safest solution.
6. Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Valve Is
Every homeowner should know how to shut off the water in an emergency.
Take a few minutes to:
- Locate the main water shutoff valve.
- Make sure everyone in the household knows where it is.
- Verify that the valve turns properly.
- Keep the area around it accessible.
If a pipe bursts or a major leak occurs, shutting off the water immediately can significantly reduce damage to your home.
Schedule an Oklahoma Plumbing Inspection Before Small Problems Become Big Repairs
Routine maintenance helps identify small plumbing issues before they interrupt your family’s busy schedule. A professional plumbing inspection can uncover hidden leaks, worn fixtures, aging water heaters, and other concerns that may not be visible during a quick walkthrough.
Service Pro Plumbing proudly serves homeowners throughout the Oklahoma City metro area, including Oklahoma City, Edmond, Guthrie, Yukon, Mustang, Moore, Norman, Choctaw, Midwest City, Del City, and surrounding communities. Whether you need a plumbing inspection, drain cleaning, water heater service, leak repair, or general plumbing maintenance, our licensed Oklahoma plumbers provide honest recommendations, quality workmanship, and dependable service you can trust.
Call Service Pro Plumbing today to schedule your plumbing inspection and start the school year with confidence.
