Although summer is the perfect time for family vacations and spending time soaking up the sun, summer can still throw unpleasant distractions your way, such as bugs and hot weather.
It’s easy to get distracted because you’re treating a new sunburn or swatting flies. But it’s important not to let temporary inconveniences distract you from the big picture. One of the things we might be neglecting in our homes is our outdoor fixtures - something we can’t afford to forget.
What starts out as a small repair issue can escalate into a plumbing emergency. Luckily, we’re here to give you the lowdown on your outdoor fixtures, and what you can do to keep them working their best.
Repairing Fixtures Early
Many people have an outdoor water faucet, sometimes called a spigot or hose bib. These commonly can wear out over time and will need a replacement. While it may be tempting to repair it yourself, it’s one of the trickier plumbing jobs:
It can involve pipework in the wall or under the house, and if the faucet isn’t installed well, it can cause a slow leak that would likely seriously damage your home. In addition, trying to replace the pipe requires proper bracing, since too much pressure can cause the pipe to break.
Sometimes it’s a simple fix like a gasket but other times it will be a major job. If you have a sprinkler system, it’s also important to find leaks because water sprinkler issues can cause water explosions that could injure you if you’re nearby. Don’t forget about cleaning outdoor drains to rid them of debris, and keep an eye out at all times for suspicious wet spots in your lawn.
It’s important to keep track of what’s going on outside to make sure a septic line isn’t leaking and watch water usage to be sure there aren’t outdoor leaks from roots breaking into outdoor pipes. Also, don’t forget the pipes between your dryer and outside--birds often build nests there!
Turning Our Focus on Outdoor Plumbing
As homeowners, we often forget about outdoor plumbing. In fact, it’s even hard to track down reliable info about it online! The truth is, we often ignore outdoor plumbing because of just that--it’s outside.
We’re so focused on indoor leaks and dripping faucets that we take outdoor plumbing for-granted until something goes seriously wrong. That’s why we’re helping educate readers about some aspects of outdoor plumbing.
Because of this, we hope you’ll take time for further research or schedule a consultation with one of our licensed professionals to make sure your plumbing is in tip-top shape.
When to Replace Your Outdoor Fixtures
When determining whether to repair or replace outdoor fixtures, keep an eye out for these warning signs that might indicate you definitely need a replacement ASAP:
Faucet is leaky or barely running- A strong smell of human waste and/or clogs indoors and outdoors
- Soggy wet spots in the lawn
- Septic waste puddles in the yard
- Sound of running water when a hose is turned off
If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment with Lambert Plumbing & Heating, LTD, give us a call at (604) 734-0890. We are 100% satisfaction guaranteed and have factory-trained technicians ready to assist you and your home’s plumbing.