Topeka Plumbing Problems? Here’s Reasons to Keep Us on Speed Dial

Top 7 Summer Plumbing Problems and How Blue Dot can help!

1. Clogged Disposal
   BBQs, cookouts, and picnics are summer staples, but too much of a good thing could lead to big problems if you’re not careful. Garbage disposals make it easy to eliminate unwanted food debris, but be sure to save your corn cobs and watermelon rinds for the compost pile instead of the disposal. The motors simply aren’t designed to handle such tough terrain.  Similarly, greasy items should go in the trash to avoid causing blockages in your disposal.
2. Overloaded Sump Pump
   Summer thunderstorms are wonderful until your sump pump overflows. Regularly test your sump pump and remove any debris so that when heavy rains quickly come, it doesn’t leave you with a soggy basement when heavy rains rapidly come. *Expert Advice: consider installing a backup battery on your sump pump for extra protection. Call Blue Dot to learn more!
3. Overworked Toilet
   No school in the summer could mean lots of playdates—giving your bathrooms more use than usual. All that extra wear and tear could mean an earlier-than-anticipated breakdown of parts or a clogged commode. While these issues are easily remedied with a bit of DIY know-how, they’re not the most pleasant to deal with.
4. Slower Drainage
   Nothing is better than a cool shower after a day at the beach, but be sure to rinse off lingering sand before you step into the tub, or your drain might not cooperate as well as you’d like. Got a sluggish drain? Avoid using chemicals, as they could cause more damage than good to your pipes. Snaking your drain is your best bet, and if you aren’t sure how to do it, Blue Dot can help.
5. Broken Sprinkler Systems
   To keep your grass green without wasting excess water, run your sprinkler system during the cooler parts of the day, like early morning or dusk. To keep your system running correctly, take care when playing outside or doing yard work. If a sprinkler head cracks underfoot, it could cause a leak that you might overlook until you receive a pricey water bill.
6. Leaky Spigots
   It may seem like a harmless drip, but a leaky hose bibb can waste up to 90 gallons of water a day! Outdoor faucets get heavier use in the summer months, but excessive leaking shouldn’t be part of it. Make sure the rubber washer is in good shape, that the faucet is tightly sealed to the wall, and that there are no cracks in the pipe—which is not uncommon if it wasn’t winterized properly.
7. Washing Machine Woes
   The water supply hoses for your washing machine should last about 3 – 5 years, but with heavy use could spring a leak. Heavy loads, such as all of those wet towels, used at the beach, pool, or in the backyard can overload your machine. Soap residue, lint, and grime need to be drained, putting a strain on your hoses and potentially causing them to leak or pop during the summer.

This summer, beat the heat and prevent plumbing problems before they arise. Knowing what to look for is a start, but knowing who to call can make all the difference if something goes wrong.

Blue Dot is proud to have served the Topeka area for over 65 years and counting. Our team of licensed, bonded, and insured techs provides 5-star service and a 10-year parts and labor warranty—the only one of its kind in Eastern Kansas.

There’s a reason Topeka homeowners trust Blue Dot’s team of professional plumbing experts—because we believe quality can be affordable, and any repair with doing is worth doing right! Reliable home comfort is just a call or click away.  Call 785-272-1633 or request service.

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