While most of the summer time should be reserved for fun in the sun, rest and relaxation, and making memories with friends and family – it is also a great time of year to get some home improvement and handyman projects off of your list. Inside of your home, a major area that should be maintained this time of year is the plumbing. Taking the time to keep your plumbing in top working order during the summer months, will help you to avoid any major plumbing breakdowns during the winter time. Winter plumbing problems can quickly escalate and cause problems that are expensive to fix and that leave lasting damage.

Here are some bathroom maintenance tips for you to check off your list this summer:

Check all of the faucets in your home. In the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and utility rooms any faucets or hoses should be checked for signs of cracks, leaks, or damage. If you notice any water pooling or dripping you should have these issues addressed sooner rather than later.

Check the bathtub fixtures and showerheads. After you take a bath or shower, check to make sure that the shower and bathtub fixtures are not leaking. If there is a leak you will probably see an accumulation of pink algae growing in your bathtub. This is a result of water dripping from a leaking faucet mixed with bacteria from residue caused by taking a bath or shower.

Check your sinks and drains for clogs. If you notice that your sinks or bathtub drains are moving slowly, or possibly not at all, this is a good indication of a clog that is forming or already in place. Clogs occur when soap, hair, and other debris is rinsed down the drain and then dries to the inside wall of the drain. A clog that forms over the summer months will surely cause significant trouble once the winter hits.

Clean your bathroom regularly. With allergens such as mold and mildew flying around the air this time of year, it is important to keep your bathroom clean and free from moisture. Mold and mildew are fungi that need moisture in order to grow. The summer time is a perfect time for getting your bathroom vent system figured out. And, for keeping your bathroom clean.

Follow these simple tips for bathroom maintenance this summer so that when winter hits you don’t run into any major problems.