How to Prevent 3 Common Summer Plumbing Problems in Fairfield, CT

In the summertime, you won’t have to worry about frozen plumbing pipes in Fairfield, CT, but the warm season tends to bring with it its own slew of problems. The good news is that these three of the most common plumbing problems are usually preventable. You’ve just got to treat these plumbing fixtures with a little extra care!

Summer Plumbing Problems in Fairfield, CT

Problem #1 – Clogged or Broken Garbage Disposal
In the summer, many of us love to grill and maybe even have a bunch of people over for a weekend cookout. We also like to enjoy all of the fresh produce that summer has to offer like corn on the cob and watermelon. The problem comes in when our garbage disposal can’t handle everything we throw into it and it becomes clogged or breaks down. But, no worries, you don’t have to swear of using the garbage disposer this summer; just be sure to toss these items into the trashcan straight away!

  • Corn cobs
  • Watermelon (Hard fruits and vegetables might damage your garbage disposal’s blades)
  • Fibrous foods like celery
  • Potatoes
  • Pasta & rice (These foods can expand and cause blockages.)
  • Cooking oil & grease (Many people find themselves needing drain cleaning service after dumping this stuff down.)

To prevent your garbage disposal from clogging, we also recommend running water into the disposal as you use it. Also, don’t let waste build up too much before turning it on.

Problem #2 – Sprinkler Head Issues
When not cared for properly, sprinkler heads can wind up broken or leaky. It’s a good idea to inspect and clean your sprinkler heads before putting them to use. Also, make sure that sprinkler heads are lowered before you mow the lawn so that they don’t become damaged.

Problem # 3 – Clogged Toilets
While a clogged toilet can certainly happen any time of year, they tend to occur more often in the summer when kids are home from school. Teach your kids to use a modest amount of toilet paper, and if at some point you have to plunge the toilet, use a flange plunger rather than a cup plunger. Flange plungers fit more snuggly and create more suction to remove toilet clogs.

At Rick’s Plumbing, we’re ready to help you with any plumbing problem you might encounter this summer. For speedy plumbing service and repairs by a Fairfield, CT plumbing company you can count on, give us a call!

203-457-3201