Mid-Year Plumbing Checklist: What to Check Before Fall

Summer is the best time to catch plumbing problems before Flagstaff's cold season makes them worse. The main things to check between June and August are your water heater, irrigation/backflow system, sewer line, and any slow drains that have been getting worse. Doing this in summer means you're not scrambling for a plumber in November when everyone else is too.

Why Check Plumbing in Summer Instead of Fall?

Fall and winter are when plumbers in Flagstaff get the most emergency calls; frozen pipes, water heater failures, backed-up sewer lines. Summer is the slow season for most plumbing companies, which means faster scheduling and more flexibility if something needs repair, not just inspection.

It's also easier to physically access certain things in summer. Crawlspaces, exterior lines, and irrigation systems are simpler to inspect when the ground isn't frozen and you're not shoveling snow to get to a hose bibb.

What Should Be on a Mid-Year Checklist?

Here's what we recommend looking at during summer, broken into quick checks versus ones that need a professional:

You can check yourself:

• Slow drains that have gotten worse over the past few months (sinks, tubs, showers)

• Visible leaks under sinks or around the water heater base

• Water pressure, a noticeable drop since spring can point to a developing issue

• Outdoor hose bibb for drips or pooling water

Worth having a professional check:

• Backflow preventer testing, because many irrigation systems require annual certification, and irrigation backflows can’t be tested in freezing conditions.

• Sewer line camera inspection if you've noticed slow drainage across multiple fixtures, which can indicate root intrusion or line settling

• Known root intrusions or sewer line issues should be taken care of during the summer when it is easier and cheaper to repair or replace

• Water softener/filtration system performance, since Flagstaff's water hardness varies significantly by neighborhood

• Boiler and radiant heating systems should be inspected before potentially failing in the middle of winter when they are needed most

• Tankless water heaters are required to be flushed annually and should be done during the summer to keep them working and functioning properly through the winter months

What Happens If You Wait Until Fall?

Problems that are minor in July tend to get expensive by December. A slow drain in summer is usually a clog you can clear. The same drain left alone through fall can turn into a backed-up line during a holiday weekend, when both repair urgency and plumber availability work against you.

Water heaters are the clearest example. A unit that's struggling in summer with reduced hot water output is very likely to fail outright once it's working harder in winter. Replacing or servicing it in July, on your schedule, beats replacing it in January during an emergency.

Worth a Summer Checkup?

If you haven't had your water heater (including tankless), boiler, backflows, or sewer line looked at this year, summer is a good window to do it before scheduling tightens up in fall. Call TCR Rooter & Plumbing Repair at 928-773-4905 and we can take a look at what actually needs attention at your place. 

Also, please consider joining TCR Rooter’s membership programs for significant season long discounts for all your plumbing needs!