Summer in Geelong means backyard barbies, pool parties, and plenty of outdoor entertaining. But common plumbing issues in summer can turn your relaxing holiday into a stressful nightmare if you’re not prepared.
Preparing your plumbing for summer means checking outdoor taps for leaks, servicing your hot water system, clearing drains before guests arrive, inspecting pool and irrigation systems, and doing a leak detection check before holidays. These simple preventative steps help you avoid blocked drains, burst pipes, and costly water bills during Geelong’s hottest months.
Conserving water at home becomes even more important during those hot months. At Bay Plumbing & Drainage, we’ve been helping Geelong families get their homes summer-ready since 2007, and our residential plumbing services keep your system running smoothly all season long.
Why summer puts extra pressure on your plumbing
Think about how your water usage changes when the mercury hits 30 degrees. There’ll be more showers, topping up pools, watering gardens, and outdoor entertaining, which will mean constant tap use. You can see it in the stats: Victorian households use around 500 litres per day in summer, compared to 395 litres in winter, which puts extra strain on your plumbing system.
For Geelong residents especially, our hot, dry summers strain outdoor plumbing systems, while Barwon Water’s permanent water saving rules mean we need to be smart. Plus, leaving plumbing issues unattended during holidays can lead to costly damage.
Let’s now look at ways you can prepare for a stress-free, water-filled summer.
Essential pre-summer plumbing checks
✔️ Give your hot water system a service
Sediment builds up in tanks over time, reducing your systems efficiency. Since you use less hot water in summer, it’s the perfect time for maintenance. A quick service now will mean your system will be ready when demand picks up in autumn.
✔️ Clear your drains before guests arrive
Nothing kills the festive vibe faster than a blocked drain when you’ve got relatives staying. Getting your drains professionally cleared before the holiday rush is one of the smartest preventative moves you can make.
✔️ Check your pool and irrigation systems
If you’ve got a pool or irrigation system, check for leaks in plumbing, ensure filters are functioning, and inspect lines for damage. A client in Ocean Grove recently told us that their water bill had doubled from the summer before. We detected and replaced a cracked irrigation line that was leaking underground, and their bills have already dropped significantly since the fix.
✔️ Check your outdoor taps and hoses
Your outdoor taps work overtime in summer. Make sure you check every outdoor tap for drips, ensure washers are in good condition, and test that your hoses have trigger nozzles as required by local regulations.
Common plumbing issues in summer and how to avoid them
Stop beach sand from blocking your drains
Beach trips are a Geelong summer staple, but all that sand washes off in the shower and can create stubborn blockages. Rinse off at beach showers when you can, shake sand from swimming gear outside, and use drain covers to catch debris.
Check your outdoor taps regularly
Once you’re back inside enjoying the aircon, that dripping outdoor tap stays out of sight and out of mind. But did you know that a dripping tap can waste thousands of litres annually? Make checking outdoor taps part of your routine after activities like car washing or filling pools.
Prepare for storm-related sewer backups
Summer storms in the Geelong region can be intense. Heavy rainfall can saturate the ground and cause sewer lines to back up. If you’re in an area prone to this, consider having your lines professionally serviced before storm season.
Do a leak check before your summer holidays
Planning to head away? One of our Newtown clients returned from a Christmas break to find a burst pipe had caused significant water damage – which was not the kind of present they expected to receive. So, before you leave, check your water meter reading before bed and again in the morning without using any water. If it’s moved, you’ve got a leak. Walk around your property looking for damp spots and make sure every tap is properly turned off before you head away.
Protect your sprinkler system from damage
Summer means more backyard cricket, kids playing on the grass, and summer entertaining. This can put your sprinkler heads at risk because a misplaced foot can crack a head and create leaks that are hard to spot but easy to see on your water bill. Inspect your system at the start of summer and adjust spray patterns so you’re not watering driveways or things that don’t need it.
Get ahead of those common plumbing problems in summer
Summer should be about relaxation and fun in the sun, NOT plumbing emergencies. So don’t wait until you’re dealing with a crisis in the middle of a heatwave – contact us at Bay Plumbing & Drainage on 1300 625 633 or book your pre-summer plumbing inspection online today.
