The summer months are just around the corner and that means spending time outdoors as a family.

No one wants to spend time dealing with a plumbing disaster no matter what time of year it is.  but especially not during the summer months when there are so many other fun things to be doing.

The plumbing system of your home can be temperamental, especially if you and your family are not in a habit of providing regular maintenance.

There are some behaviors that can actually put your plumbing system at risk. To avoid having to deal with a plumbing disaster this summer, make sure that you and your family are not doing any of these risky behaviors:

• Over-using drain cleaner.  With normal wear and tear from daily use of your plumbing system, it is not unusual for clogs to develop.  But, anytime your plumbing system develops a clog,  it is important to use a sink plunger or toilet auger to release the clog.  Repeated use of drain cleaner can cause weak spots in your pipes and lead to bigger problems.
• Flushing flushables.  There are many paper products that are used in the bathroom but should never be flushed down the toilet.  Items like Q-tips, baby wipes, and dental floss can cause significant damage to your toilet and even worse to your sewer system. Make sure you and your family put those items in the garbage can and not in the toilet.
• Not maintaining your sprinkler systems. During the fall and winter months, your sprinkler system can take a beating due to the cold temperatures and winter weather.  Unfortunately, this can lead to damage of the sprinkler heads which often goes unnoticed until the sprinkler system is turned on for the warm weather season.

To help your family avoid a plumbing disaster this summer that will certainly divert time and attention from your fun in the sun activities, make sure to avoid these common plumbing misuses.