Keep your home’s plumbing system in top shape throughout the summer months with expert tips tailored for increased water usage, warmer weather, and the unique demands of the season.
Summer is the “home buying” season. Many new homebuyers find out too late that their dream home is riddled with new house plumbing problems like water leakage or a poor plumbing system. In fact, 44% of consumers call a plumber within one year of purchasing a home. To avoid such unexpected and costly problems, we recommend that you visually inspect any potential home for problems and offer these helpful tips:
Why Summer Demands Special Plumbing Attention
The summer season typically brings more guests, garden watering, outdoor activities, and higher overall water usage. These factors can stress your plumbing system, sometimes exposing minor issues before they become too problematic.
Essential Summer Plumbing Tips
Bathroom & Toilet
Start your summer plumbing checklist in the bathroom, often the most used space in the home and a common source of hidden leaks or issues.
- Inspect for Water Damage: Check around toilets for stains or rolled vinyl, a sign of leaks or water damage. Stand straddled over the toilet and rock gently; a soft floor often indicates hidden leaks.
- Test flush and water pressure: Slow flushing or low pressure may signal plumbing problems. If you notice any issues, a quick plumbing inspection can prevent clogs and water waste.
- Prevent Clogs: Only flush toilet paper. Items like wipes, cotton swabs, and sanitary products can cause major problems and expensive repair costs.
Water Heater & Hot Water
Your water heater works overtime in the summer with showers, laundry, and increased demand. Make sure it’s prepared for warmer weather.
- Check Your Water Heater: Check your water heater’s age and condition, and replace it if over 15 years old or rusty. Set the temperature to 49°C to save energy during warmer months.
- Ongoing Maintenance: Schedule annual maintenance for your water heater before heavier summer use.
Kitchen, Laundry & Water Supply
The kitchen and laundry room see more activity in the summer. Checking hoses, appliances, and water supply now helps prevent inconvenient plumbing surprises.
- Check Hoses, Traps & Pipes: Inspect washing machine hoses (especially in the summer heat), under-sink pipes, and garbage disposal for leaks. Increased water usage can turn a small drip into significant water damage.
- Monitor Water Pressure: Turn on multiple taps at once to check for drops in water pressure. Reduced pressure may indicate mineral build-up or hidden leaks within the plumbing system.
- Use Water Efficient Appliances: Consider upgrading to a water efficient model for your washing machine and dishwasher to save water and reduce bills during the peak summer months.
Outdoor Plumbing Fixtures
Outdoor taps, hoses, and garden plumbing get frequent use during summer months. A quick inspection keeps your garden watering and summer activities worry-free.
- Inspect Outdoor Taps and Hoses: Check for drips or leaks at outdoor taps, hose connections, and sprinkler heads. Leaking outdoor plumbing fixtures can waste thousands of litres each summer.
- Look for Standing Water: Standing water is another common problem resulting from leaky or broken pipes. Excess water in a yard may be coming from a damaged sewer line and may contain waste from the home. Standing water is not healthy for children or pets, and is a breeding ground for insects and germs. Inspect the yard for areas that are too wet and with unusual plant or grass growth.
- Sewer Inspection: If you are planning to purchase a home, doing a video inspection of the underground sewer pipe may be a good idea, especially in older homes with clay or concrete sewer pipes. The inspection will reveal any flaws with the sewer before you buy and inherit a problem. The cost of repairing or replacing an underground sewer may cost couple thousands of pounds making a relatively inexpensive camera inspection a good investment. Read more about common plumbing problems and solutions.
- Check Outdoor Faucets: These are prone to leaks after winter’s freeze/thaw cycles. Replace washers or connectors to prevent water waste during garden watering.
Special Summer Considerations
Avoid Costly Repairs
- Book a Plumbing Inspection: An annual check-up by a professional plumber before or during the summer can identify issues early and prevent costly repairs.
- Test for Hidden Leaks: Survey your water bill for unexpected increases, which may indicate hidden leaks in the system.
- Maintain Outdoor Plumbing: Ensure garden pipes, swimming pool plumbing, and hose connections are in good condition before peak use.
Conserve Water
- Collect Rainwater: Use rain barrels for garden watering, an easy way to conserve water and save money during drier, warmer months.
- Install Low Flow Fixtures: Low flow showerheads and taps can help reduce water usage and lower household water waste.
- Practice Good Habits: Always turn off taps tightly and monitor all fixtures for drips.
Summer Plumbing Tasks Comparison
| Section | Key Summer Plumbing Challenge | Actions to Address Issue | Benefits of Proactive Care | Consequences of Neglect |
| Bathroom & Toilet | Hidden leaks, low water pressure, clog risks | Inspect for water damage, test flush and pressure, only flush toilet paper | Prevents water damage and costly repairs; keeps system healthy | Rotten floors, high bills, clogs |
| Water Heater & Hot Water | Old heater, inefficiency, leaks | Check heater age and rust, set temp to 49°C, schedule annual maintenance | Reliable hot water, energy savings, safer home | Unexpected failures, leaks |
| Kitchen, Laundry & Water Supply | Leaky hoses, poor connections, undetected leaks | Check hoses and supply tubes, monitor water pressure, upgrade appliances | Prevents water waste, protects cabinets/flooring | Floods, increased water usage |
| Outdoor Plumbing Fixtures | Leaky taps, standing water, broken sprinklers | Inspect outdoor taps, check hose/sprinkler heads, repair leaks promptly | Protects landscape, prevents water waste | Waterlogged lawn, higher bills |
| Overall System | High water usage, hidden leaks, unpreparedness | Schedule plumbing inspection, collect rainwater, install low-flow devices | Saves water, identifies problems early | Major repairs, wasted resources |
Quick Checklist for Summer Plumbing
- Check all bathrooms for water damage and leaks.
- Test flush speed and water pressure on toilets.
- Inspect water heater age, temperature, and for rust.
- Examine all hoses and connections in the kitchen and laundry.
- Monitor water pressure across multiple fixtures.
- Inspect outdoor taps, faucets, and look for standing water.
- Schedule annual maintenance with a qualified, local plumber.
Why Trust Lazard Plumbing?
Choosing the right plumbing company is essential for your peace of mind and the long-term reliability of your home’s plumbing system. Lazard Plumbing stands out because they combine trusted local expertise in Essex and London with a genuine commitment to service quality.
Clients seeking dependable plumbing, heating, or gas solutions can count on clear communication, skilled workmanship, and real accountability at every step.
- Professional & Friendly: All work completed by fully qualified and Gas Safe registered engineers.
- Local Expertise: Specialists in Essex and London, offering tailored plumbing solutions and transparent pricing.
- 24-Month Guarantee: Enjoy peace of mind with our 24-month guarantee on all repairs and installations.
- Comprehensive Services: From urgent leak repairs to annual maintenance, outdoor plumbing, and bathroom renovations — we cover it all.
Ready for a Summer Without Plumbing Problems?
Keep your plumbing system running smoothly this summer, with help from your friendly, local experts at Lazard Plumbing. Enjoy expert advice and clear communication every step of the way.
Choose Lazard Plumbing or reliable plumbing services in Romford, Essex, London, and surrounding areas, including emergency plumbing, water softener installation, boiler installation and central heating repairs, bathroom refurbishments, and thorough home assessments.