Summer in Pennsylvania means heavy thunderstorms, increased water usage, and the kind of heat that stresses every system in your home — including your plumbing. Here’s what every Bucks County and greater Philadelphia homeowner should check before summer hits full force.
Test Your Sump Pump Now — Not During a Storm
Your sump pump sat mostly idle over winter. Before the spring storms arrive, test it: pour a bucket of water into the sump pit and make sure the pump kicks on, pumps the water out, and shuts off properly. Check the discharge line outside to make sure it’s not clogged or frozen. If your pump is over 7 years old, consider replacing it proactively. If you don’t have a battery backup, get one — the worst floods happen during power outages.
Inspect Your Sewer Line
Spring tree growth means root systems are aggressively seeking water — and your sewer line is a prime target. If you’ve noticed slow drains, gurgling toilets, or sewage smells in your yard, schedule a sewer camera inspection before the problem becomes an emergency. A camera inspection takes about an hour and shows you exactly what’s happening inside your pipe.
Check Your Water Heater
Your water heater works year-round, but summer is a good time to flush sediment from the tank. Sediment buildup reduces efficiency and shortens the life of the unit. If your water heater is over 8-10 years old, watch for signs of failure: rust-colored water, rumbling noises, or leaks around the base. A water heater that fails in your basement can cause serious water damage.
Clear Your Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged gutters send water cascading down your foundation walls instead of away from your home. This overwhelms your sump pump, saturates the soil around your foundation, and can eventually cause basement water problems. Make sure gutters are clear and downspouts direct water at least 6 feet away from your foundation.
Check Outdoor Faucets and Hose Bibs
If you didn’t winterize your outdoor faucets, they may have cracked during winter freezes. Turn on each outdoor faucet and check for leaks — both at the faucet and inside the house where the pipe comes through the wall. A cracked pipe behind the wall can leak for weeks before you notice it, causing hidden water damage.
Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Is
This sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how many homeowners don’t know where their main shutoff valve is — or whether it still works. Locate it now, test it, and make sure every adult in your household knows where it is. In a plumbing emergency, being able to shut off water quickly is the difference between a minor problem and thousands in damage.
Consider a Water Filtration System
Summer means more water usage — drinking, cooking, filling pools, watering gardens. If you’re concerned about water quality, a whole-house water filtration system ensures every tap delivers clean, filtered water. It also extends the life of your plumbing fixtures and water-using appliances by removing sediment and minerals.
Need help with any of these summer plumbing tasks? Home Rangers handles sump pumps, sewer lines, water heaters, and water filtration across Bucks County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia, and Delaware County. Call (215) 454-0001 or book online.