Hawthorne Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is dedicated to helping residents and businesses of the Greater Las Vegas and Henderson, NV areas maintain high standards of plumbing, sewer and water convenience.

With summer here and hitting hard, problems with plumbing can be all the worse...especially when they interrupt showers, create backed up drains or create toilet problems. 

Here are a few of the most common plumbing problems for summer and basic maintenance ideas to help prevent them.

Clogged sinks are a common plumbing problem

In many facilities, especially restaurants. Sink drains can become backed up by washing items such as large pieces of food, paper waste and toothpicks. 

Add in soda, coffee and grease, which can all build up along the side of the piping, and you create a gunky mess that prevents water flow. 

Be sure to place a trash can near the sink to discard unwanted items before they make it into the drain. It is also a good idea to install a strainer or screen to stop waste from entering your drains.

Backed-Up Drains can be a real issue

Especially in large facility buildings and warehouses where there is a lot of potential debris. 

Between dirt and other garbage that gets swept into the drain, floor drains can back up quickly if not taken care of properly. It is important to install a basket to stop trash before it enters pipes as well as general education on proper procedures for clean-up.

Plumbing leaks are caused by all kinds of things

Rapid changes in temperature can cause pipes to expand and contract. Storing items near pipes, such as under a kitchen sink, can lead to constant bumps and shifts that can create leaks. 

Rust, corrosion and broken seals are also common. The best way to remove the risk of leaky plumbing is to have a proper preventative maintenance plan. This is especially important during summer months, when water usage generally tends to increase.

A clogged toilet can hurt your business 

- and significantly affect home comfort. Most often, toilets become clogged when individuals’ flush items that should be thrown away. 

To reduce the possibility of unwanted flushes, have trash receptacles plainly visible for use and use water filtration systems filter sand and debris from incoming water. Businesses should try installing air dryers instead of using paper towels.

The most common problems with water heaters are thermostats

- thermal-expansion tanks, shut-off valves and pipe leaks. To prevent issues with your system, a strong preventative maintenance plan is important. 

Every six months (for businesses) to a year (residential homes) flush out the water heater to remove sediment, which can burn out the heater elements. This is especially helpful if you are in an area with hard water.

For professional plumbing advice and assistance, contact your local plumbers at Hawthorne Plumbing, Heating & Cooling!

Don't let a little thing like a broken window or a leaky roof turn into a major headache. Check out our list of home repairs related articles below for more information on how to handle these issues yourself. You'll be glad you did!

• Pain in the Drain: How the Holidays Can Affect Your Plumbing 
• Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Plumbing Problems this Spring 
• Plumbing Cameras Offer a View from the Inside 
• 5 Tips to Hiring a Quality Plumbing Company 
• Holiday Plumbing Care 
• 3 Ways to Protect Animals from the Perils of Human Plumbing 
• What You Need to Know About Kitec Plumbing