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All summer, your plumbing has been quietly handling extra guests, sprinklers, hoses, and kids in and out of the house all day. Now the backpacks are by the door, the alarm clocks are set again, and somewhere between packing lunches and finding the other shoe, your house just went from “summer chaos" back to "full house, full schedule." This season means you’re asking even more from your plumbing with more people showering on a tight morning timeline. More laundry. More dishes. More water running through your pipes.
That's exactly why late summer is the right time for a quick plumbing check before the busy routine exposes a problem you don't have time for.
Back to School Plumbing Checklist
Water Heater
If showers have been running lukewarm or taking longer to heat up, don't wait for the first cold-water surprise on a school morning.
- Check the temperature: run a shower and see if it hits hot within a minute or two. If it's crawling, that's a sign.
- Look at the tank itself for rust streaks, moisture, or puddling at the base.
- Listen for popping or rumbling sounds when it's heating, that's often sediment buildup.
Slow Drains
Summer means more hair, sunscreen, and everyday buildup heading down showers and sinks. If drainage has been sluggish, it's easier to clear now than during a week when everyone needs the bathroom at once.
- Time it: fill the sink, pull the plug, and see if it drains in under 10-15 seconds. Slower than that = building clog.
- Pull the drain stopper (bathroom sinks/tubs) and physically check for a hair/soap buildup right at the opening.
- A cup of baking soda + vinegar, let sit 15 minutes, flush with hot water. Keep in mind, this is good for mild buildup, not full clogs.
Toilets
With more people cycling through bathrooms on a schedule, now's a good time to make sure everything's sealing properly and that you (and anyone old enough) know where the shutoff valves are, just in case.
- Locate the shutoff valve behind/below each toilet and actually turn it (partway, then back). Valves that haven't moved in years can seize up when you need them most.
- Check the base of the toilet for any wobble or moisture on the floor. This could be early signs of a wax ring failing.
- Do a "leak test": add a few drops of food coloring to the tank, wait 10-15 minutes without flushing. If you see color in the bowl it means there is a silent leak that’s worth fixing.