Just like there are steps to take to protect your plumbing during the winter months, there are also things you need to do to protect your plumbing during the summer months. Here are some ways to get your plumbing summer-ready:

Check your garden hose. A leaky garden hose can waste more than 20 gallons of water each day. Not only is this not water-efficient, it is also costing you more money every month. During the summer time it is not unusual to use your hose on a daily basis, whether it is to water the lawn, plants, and shrubs or, for the kids to play in. Each time you stow your hose, check to make sure that the bib is fitting snuggly to the faucet and that the hose itself does not have any cracks or leaks. This will also eliminate the chances of standing water accumulating under the hose faucet, which will quickly attract mosquitos and other nasty pests.

Water at the right time. Because the summer weather is much hotter, it is important to be thoughtful about what time of day you are watering so that you can be sure that the soil and blades of grass absorb as much water as possible before the sun causes it all to evaporate. That means, watering your lawn during the early morning or late evening hours when the sun is the coolest. Keep your irrigation and sprinkler systems well-maintained and without cracks or leaks so that water is not wasted. Check the weather in the morning to see how hot it is expected to be that day as you may have to water more than once.

Outdoor shower. If you have an outdoor shower or pool, make sure that the pipes and drainage system are clog-free. This means that everything is running correctly and the shower drain is carrying the used water away efficiently. A clog in your outdoor shower drain can be just as stressful as one in your indoor shower drain. Never pour chemicals, paint, motor oil, or any other inappropriate substances down an outdoor shower drain. This could have a very bad effect on your septic system.

While there are not concerns for your outdoor plumbing to become frozen and cracked during the summer months, there are other things that could damage it. Use these few suggestions to keep your plumbing in good condition all summer long.