Avoid Plumbing Problems This Summer

Summer has officially arrived in Portland!

This time of year typically means gardening, barbecues, and more time spent outdoors.  You may even be looking forward to summer getaways or vacations away from home.

Serving the greater Portland area for over a decade, we see customers frequently running into the same summer plumbing problems.  We thought it would be helpful to compile a quick list of things homeowners can do to ensure that summer is enjoyed without time wasted on plumbing catastrophes.

1.     Don’t shove that corn husk down the drain!

We love summer barbeques and even encourage them, but please think carefully about clean up.  We know it can be tempting to throw everything down your sink’s garbage disposal, but the reality is that even sink disposals need some quality TLC.  Stringy foods along with fats and cooking oil can be detrimental to your pipes.  If you want a best-in-class, no nonsense garbage disposal replacement, we provide a 10-year warranty on our 1-horsepower unit.

 2.     Check your backflow prevention device.

If you suspect there is a problem with your backflow prevention device, we recommend contacting a professional right away.  Backflow devices work to keep your home’s water separate from city water and free of contaminates.  You and your family deserve fresh, clean drinking and sprinkler water.  Often, the valves controlling backflow devices rust and corrode over the winter, so it’s definitely worth checking that everything is in proper working order for the health and wellbeing of your home.  Tree root intrusion may also cause backflow prevention device destruction.  Our professionals can help eliminate this problem.

3.     Install a tankless water heater.

Going on vacation this summer?  If you already have a tankless water heater, consider getting it a quality maintenance check-up.  If you’re still working with a traditional water heater, think of all the energy wasted when you’re away.  Traditional water heaters generally hold anywhere from 40-80 gallons of water.  Traditional water heater systems heat water up to 120 degrees and then the water just sits in waiting until it is used.  Tankless water heaters, the far more environmentally sound option, work instantaneously.  They save you more money over the long-run and provide your desired temperature without delay.

Stay cool this summer, and let us take care of the plumbing.  Call 3 Mountains Plumbing today.