August marks the beginning of the end of summer in Kansas, and for many people it's already time to start thinking about kids returning to school and the beginning of fall. But the 90+ degree days and sudden thunderstorms that we all associate with summer in Kansas are still around for at least a little while longer, so here are a few tips from your friendly neighborhood Olathe plumber to help you get through the remainder of your summer in peace and tranquility. (These are also all good advice for the beginning of next summer, too!)

• Take good care of your washing machine. Summer time means outdoor fun, and that typically means more dirty clothes. The beginning of the school year can also see an influx of new laundry, especially if you've got kids who are heading off to college. It seems like they're always bringing home bags of dirty laundry every time they come back to visit! So keep an eye on your washing machine, and check its hoses for bulges, leaks, and cracks. It's also a good idea to make sure that your washing machine is at least four inches from the wall to prevent the hoses from becoming kinked or damaged.
• Be careful what you put in your garbage disposal. As summer is winding down, people are trying to squeeze as many backyard cookouts as they can into the remaining long evenings. But when you have your cookout, be careful what you put down the garbage disposal afterward. Most disposals can't handle fibrous foods like carrot peels, corn husks, or banana peels.
• Have a plumber inspect your sewer line. Summer showers—not to mention the kinds of torrential rainstorms we sometimes get in Olathe—can cause sewer line backups as water seeps into the sewer lines. Tree roots can also damage sewer lines. It's a good idea to have a licensed Olathe plumber inspect your sewer line to help prevent messy—and costly—backups.
• Check with your plumber about a system to collect rainwater. Systems for collecting rainwater or "gray water" can be a great and sustainable way to save money and resources when watering your lawn. There are a lot of options, many of which cost very little to install. Your friendly Olathe plumber can help you find the one that's right for you.
• Be wary when mowing your lawn. Summer is also lawn mowing season, but when you're mowing your lawn, be aware of the location of sprinklers or other irrigation systems if you have them. A lawnmower hitting a sprinkler head is bad for the sprinkler and for the lawn. If you water your lawn or garden the old fashioned way—that is, with a hose—make sure that you store the hoses disconnected from the faucets and hanging with the hose ends pointed down.

Those are just a few tips from your Olathe plumber that can help make the remainder of your summertime a breeze. Now get out there and enjoy it while it lasts, because it will be time for winter plumbing tips again all too soon!

Founded in 1980, Davenport Service Company has provided "Customer First" service in Johnson County, Kansas for over three decades. We provide 24/7 emergency service, preventive maintenance service, and seasonal tune-ups for commercial and residential heating and air conditioning systems. If you're looking for a furnace tune-up in Olathe, call 913-441-2222 for hassle-free scheduling today!