The Importance of Wrapping up And Maintaining Hoses

Of all the plumbing issues that you think about and worry about, properly maintaining your garden hoses is probably not at the top of the list. Let’s be honest, it’s probably not even at the top of your outdoor plumbing maintenance list. Yet, properly caring for and maintaining your hoses can actually help you avoid some plumbing issues and it will help you save water and money.

So, while you might not consider it a priority, taking a moment to focus on wrapping up and maintaining your hoses is an easy way to ensure that your outdoor plumbing is working properly and that you aren’t wasting water. Today we’ll talk about why this is important and the benefits of paying a little more attention to how you store your hose.

Garden and Outdoor Plumbing

If you’re going to care for your lawn and garden throughout the year, you’ll need a working hose. Too often, hoses are tossed to the side of the house, left stretched out on the patio or even just left in the middle of the yard. It seems pretty harmless to just leave your hose around.

However, if you don’t wrap up your hose, it significantly decreases the hose’s lifespan. You need to have a hose that is accessible and that works. In order to protect your hose and to make it last as long as possible, it’s always important to wrap it up after use.

Consider adding a reel, cart or rack to your outdoor area to make it easier to wrap up and protect your hose after every use. And, while you’re at it, don’t forget about your sprinklers and other garden plumbing tools. Whenever you use these, take the time to ensure that they’re working properly and then safely store them after use.

The Risk of Sun Breakage

One of the most common problems that arise from improperly taking care of your garden hose is sun breakage. If your hose is regularly left out to face the sun and the weather, it will continually break down. The unfortunate result is that you’ll be constantly replacing your hose.

This is expensive, inefficient and inconvenient. An easy way to drastically extend the lifespan of your hose is to wrap it up after each use and ensure that it is not regularly exposed to the sun and severe weather.

Water Use And Wasted Water

Another issue that arises from not properly maintaining your hose is the formation of leaks throughout the hose. As you can imagine, this means that you will be wasting water every time that you use your hose.

Not only is this a poor use of this limited resource, but it also means that you’ll be paying more on your water bill. Avoid wasting water and wasting money by wrapping up and caring for your hose.

At PHD Mechanical Inc we want you to know that if you’re not already doing so, get in the habit of properly wrapping up and storing your garden hoses after each use. Doing so is an easy way to take better care of your yard, your wallet, and the planet.

Heavy Rain Can Seriously Damage Your Pipes

With the onset of heavy rain, there are many things to be concerned about. Though you may believe you’re safe from the rain tucked away inside your home all Spring, it is actually the pipes right outside your home that need some attention.

Heavy rain can have a truly negative effect on your pipes if your plumbing system isn’t updated and properly maintained. Read on to find out what to look out for during this rainy season.

What Causes Broken Pipes?

Frequent precipitation can seriously begin to take a toll on your outdoor plumbing system which can lead to broken pipes. This is a huge problem, especially if your pipes are fairly old - and even if they aren’t, it’s impossible to predict when they’re getting more water than they can handle.

While some of these burst pipe issues are caused by excess water flooding in your plumbing system, other times it could be caused by physical disturbances as well. When there is excessive mud, your pipes are more prone to shift out of place resulting in them not being able to drain properly causing cracks.

It is important to make sure your pipes are in good shape whenever heavy rainfall is anticipated. Any time you notice a drop in water pressure, puddling water around your home, or any noticeable change in the way your fixtures are working, you should have an inspection done on your pipes. A broken pipe is a plumbing emergency, and if it’s not cared for quickly, could spell disaster for your home.

The Dangers of Sewer System Backups

Another issue to be on alert for is something called backup that happens when unwanted materials enter your sewer system. Debris and rocks can enter through the cracks that we mentioned above and when this happens, all of that rainwater has nowhere to go.

In some instances, the water can even leak into your basement if it has nowhere else to go. No one wants a flooded basement so it’s important to check your outdoor pipes routinely to make sure everything is working as it’s supposed to.

Not only can water damage your belongings like electronics and furniture, but also it can pose serious risks for your home. Whether it’s damaging the foundations, creating a breeding ground for mold, or simply ruining drywall and wood, you’re going to want to avoid it at all cost.

Schedule Your Plumbing Inspection Today

The smartest way to handle all plumbing related issues is to consult with professionally trained experts. During a quality plumbing inspection, a trained specialist will be able to check for all problem areas and let you know what to keep an eye on regarding your plumbing system.

Here at PhD Mechanical, we have a team to help you with any questions or concerns you may have this rainy season! Give us a call at (973) 492-5931 and schedule a plumbing inspection today! Your problem is our priority! How do you prepare for the rainy season? Let us know in the comments, we always love to hear from you!