When summer hits Southwest Missouri, expect hot afternoons, sudden thunderstorms, and long days spent outdoors. What many homeowners don’t think about are the summer plumbing issues that come with the region’s unique climate.
Between extreme heat, fluctuating rainfall, and heavy water usage, the summer season puts extra stress on your plumbing system. Knowing what to look for and how to prevent problems can help you avoid emergencies and keep your home running smoothly.
1. Increased Water Usage and Wear on Fixtures
Summer in Missouri means more lawn watering, car washing, filling swimming pools, and frequent showers. All that extra demand can strain your plumbing fixtures. Outdoor spigots and hoses can develop small leaks that waste water.
Indoors, older faucets and toilets may begin showing signs of wear and tear, such as hard water calcification, reduced water pressure, or dripping seals. Even small drips add up over weeks of hot weather, so regular inspections are key to catching problems early. Repairing leaks promptly and using water-efficient fixtures can also help lower your water bill during the hottest months.
2. Heat Wave Effects on Plumbing
Extended heat waves—common in Southwest Missouri—can cause your plumbing to expand and contract. This thermal stress can weaken joints, warp PVC piping, and dry out rubber seals, making them more prone to leaks. Water heaters will also work harder to maintain consistent output, which can shorten their lifespan if they’re already aging. Kitchen plumbing and drains are immune to summer issues, too.
The extra cooking and entertaining during summer can put additional strain on your garbage disposal, especially when sending foods that shouldn’t go down the drain. Overheated attic and crawlspace areas can also accelerate wear on drain lines, particularly in older homes with aging pipe materials.
3. Standing Water and Leak Risks During Summer
Missouri summers often bring sudden downpours after long dry spells. If water pools around your foundation or yard, it can put pressure on underground pipes and lead to small leaks or even pipe shifts. Indoors, high humidity can cause condensation on cold-water pipes, especially in basements, creating moisture buildup that encourages mold and corrosion.
Installing a drain cover on outdoor drains can help keep leaves, sticks, and grass clippings out during storms, which improves water flow and reduces the chance of pooling after heavy rain. In some cases, poor outdoor drainage can lead to pipe leaks that go unnoticed until water damage appears inside the home.
4. Tree Root Infiltration in Sewer Lines
Southwest Missouri’s late-summer heat often means dry soil, which makes tree roots search aggressively for moisture. Unfortunately, sewer lines provide a tempting water source. Roots can infiltrate small cracks in the pipe, causing clogs, backups, and even significant line damage.
If you notice slow drains throughout the house or gurgling sounds in toilets, a camera inspection can confirm whether roots are the culprit. Ignoring the warning signs could mean the costly excavation and replacement, and in severe cases, entire sections of drain lines may need to be replaced.
5. Seasonal Maintenance Recommendations
To protect your plumbing during the hottest months:
- Inspect outdoor faucets and hoses for leaks.
- Schedule a mid-summer plumbing checkup to catch minor problems early.
- Clean out gutters and downspouts to direct rainwater away from the foundation.
- Watch for signs of basement flooding during intense storms, especially in older homes with inadequate drainage.
- Have sewer lines inspected if you have mature trees nearby.
- Insulate exposed pipes to prevent condensation damage in humid weather.
Protect Your Plumbing Before Problems Start
By understanding the Missouri summer plumbing challenges specific to our area, you can take proactive steps to avoid costly repairs. With over 50 years of experience, the experts at Clements Plumbing Heating & Air know how to keep your system in peak condition all season long.
For expert help tackling summer plumbing problems in your Lamar, Missouri home, reach out to us today. Our skilled team will deliver lasting solutions to keep your water system running smoothly all season long.
