Common Summer Plumbing Problems in Cleveland (and How to Avoid Them)
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Common Summer Plumbing Problems in Cleveland (and How to Avoid Them)
Summer storms, tree roots and busy households bring their own plumbing problems. Here's what to watch for in Cleveland homes and how to prevent it.
Summer brings storm backups, faster root growth in sewer lines, disposal clogs from cookouts, heavier laundry loads, outdoor faucet leaks and sewer odors from dry traps. Summer is also the easiest time to schedule a main line cleaning or camera inspection.
Summer doesn't bring frozen pipes, but it has its own set of plumbing problems. Here's what we see most from June through August on Cleveland's west side.
1. Storm backups
Summer thunderstorms dump a lot of rain fast. Sewers fill up, and homes with restricted lines see water come up through basement floor drains. Read how to prevent sewer backups.
2. Tree roots in the sewer line
Roots grow fastest in warm months and go looking for water. Older clay sewer lines are the easiest target. If your main line is getting slower each summer, roots are a likely cause. A hydro jetting cleaning clears them, and a camera shows how bad it is.
3. Garbage disposal clogs
Summer means corn husks, watermelon rinds, fruit pits and barbecue grease. None of those belong in a disposal. Toss them in the trash.
4. More laundry, more showers
Kids home from school, beach towels and sports uniforms mean more water going down the drain. A main line that's already partly blocked will show it — usually at the basement floor drain.
5. Outdoor faucet and hose leaks
Check outdoor spigots when you turn them on in spring. A leak inside the wall from a pipe that froze last winter often doesn't show up until you open the faucet.
6. Sewer smells in the heat
Hot weather makes odors worse. A dry floor drain trap is the usual cause — pour water into drains you rarely use. More in why drains smell like sewage.
7. Sump pump workload
Storms can keep a sump pump running for hours. Test it, and make sure the discharge line is clear and draining away from the house.
A good time for maintenance
Summer is the easiest time to schedule a main line cleaning or camera inspection — before fall leaves and winter freezes. Our $199 sewer camera inspection includes a full report and video, so you'll know exactly where your line stands.
Summer vacation checklist
- Turn the water heater to "Vacation" or a low setting.
- Shut off the water to washing machine hoses, or the main valve for long trips.
- Pour water into rarely used drains before you leave so traps don't dry out while you're gone.
- Make sure the sump pump is working and the discharge line is clear.
- If storms are forecast, move valuables off the basement floor.
When to call a plumber
Call ExpertPipe Rooter at (216) 203-6563 if:
- The basement floor drain backs up during storms
- Your main line gets slower every summer
- An outdoor faucet leaks inside the wall
- You notice sewer odors in the heat
We serve Cleveland's west side and western suburbs, including Lakewood, Parma, Westlake, Rocky River and North Olmsted.
Frequently asked questions
Why do tree roots get into sewer lines in summer?
Roots grow most actively in warm months and seek out moisture. Older clay sewer lines have joints that let fine roots in, where they grow into clog-catching masses.
What shouldn't go in a garbage disposal?
Corn husks, fruit pits, melon rinds, bones, grease and fibrous vegetables. They jam the disposal or clog the drain line.
Is summer a good time for a sewer camera inspection?
Yes. Ground and weather conditions make it easy to schedule, and it lets you fix problems before fall leaves and winter freezes.
Keep reading
Related guides
How to Prevent Sewer Backups and Basement Flooding in Cleveland
Keep your sewer lateral clean, know its condition with a camera inspection, consider a backwater valve, keep downspouts out of the sewer, test the sump pump and limit water use during heavy storms.
Read the guide →Why Your Drain Smells Like Rotten Eggs or Sewage (and How to Fix It)
A rotten-egg or sewage smell usually comes from a dry trap, buildup inside the drain, a blocked vent, a failed toilet wax ring, bacteria in the water heater (hot water only) or a cracked sewer pipe.
Read the guide →Winter Plumbing Tips for Cleveland Homes: Prevent Frozen Pipes and Backups
Before winter, drain outdoor faucets, insulate exposed pipes, seal drafts and flush the water heater.
Read the guide →Talk to a local plumber
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