Get your plumbing summer-ready: Tips from your local Wellington plumber
Summer’s nearly here, and you know what that means - BBQs, beers, and the whooole whānau piling into the house over Christmas. It’s good times all round… unless your plumbing decides to chuck a wobbly.
As a Wellington plumber, I’ve seen plenty of summer disasters that could’ve been avoided with a bit of prep. So before you fire up the BBQ and fill the chilli bin, here are some easy ways to get your plumbing sorted for the warmer months. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
Clear those gutters (and make the place look sharp)
First up, let’s talk gutters. You might not think of them as plumbing, but blocked gutters and downpipes can cause all sorts of dramas. Over winter, leaves, twigs and all sorts of gunk build up, and when the summer storms roll through (cheers Wellington winds), that water’s got nowhere to go.
Spend a bit of time clearing out your gutters, check your drains are flowing sweet, and that way you’ll avoid leaks, flooding, or even worse - water sneaking its way inside when you’ve got guests over. Plus, nothing says “summer ready” like tidy gutters and a freshly mown lawn.
Christmas crowds = plumbing pressure
Christmas in Wellington means visitors. Whether it’s rellies staying over or mates popping in for a BBQ, your plumbing’s about to work overtime. - because once that huge Christmas roast has been eaten, it’s gotta have somewhere to go (if you know what I mean).
Showers running non-stop, loos getting a workout, dishes piling up… it all adds up.
If your pipes, drains or hot water system are already struggling, this is when they’ll give up on you (at the worst possible moment, when the whole fam is waiting for a post-beach shower). A quick plumbing check-up before the silly season can save you the embarrassment of blocked drains or a toilet that refuses to flush when Uncle Barry’s had one too many.
Get your hot water system sussed
Nothing ruins a summer’s morning faster than a cold shower when you weren’t planning on it. Hot water systems take a hammering over the holidays, with long showers after a day in the sun, so now’s the time to make sure yours is running right.
A couple of things to think about:
Age of your system: If your hot water cylinder’s older than your first car, it might be time for a replacement.
Efficiency: Newer hot water systems can save you on power bills while keeping the hot water flowing.
Upgrades: Gas, Infinities or a bigger cylinder. Whatever fits your setup and budget, your local Wellington plumber can talk you through the options (hello that’s me).
Now’s a bloody good time to get your hot water system sussed, so you don’t even have to think about things over the summer season.
Plumbing upgrades worth considering
Summer’s also a good time to look at upgrades you’ve been putting off. Maybe it’s a new outdoor tap for the garden, fixing that leaky loo, or finally sorting the dodgy pressure in your shower. These small plumbing upgrades make a big difference when the weather’s good and everyone’s around.
Think about it: summer = entertaining. Having reliable plumbing in your kitchen, bathroom and outdoor spaces just makes life easier.
Regular maintenance = less stress
Plumbing isn’t something most people think about until it breaks (it’s okay, I don’t take it personally). A cheeky wee maintenance check now can stop a whole lot of hassle later. Pick up the small issues now, before they turn into a mare later - this means getting appliances and your hot water system serviced, sorting small annoying leaks before they get worse, clearing your gutters - all the pesky jobs.
Summer’s for relaxing, not stressing about plumbing problems. A little bit of prep now means you can focus on the good stuff. If ya need a plumber in Wellington to get you sussed for summer, pop me a message.
