Summer is coming. Is your plumbing ready for the additional use? You might not realize this, but when summer hits, your plumbing works overtime. Between having the kids home for the summer and inviting guests into your home, your plumbing is going to be working round-the-clock this summer. Here are three easy steps you can take to get your plumbing ready for the onslaught.

Install New Faucets and Fixtures

When summer hits, you can see your water bills increase exponentially. That's because you have more people at home during the day using the sinks and toilets. You can reduce your water bills this summer by installing new faucets and fixtures. This is particularly important if you can't remember the last time you had them replaced. New low-flow faucets, shower heads, and toilets can trim money off your water bill each year. Not to mention all the water you'll be conserving—which is important if you live in an area with drought restrictions.

Get Your Drains Cleaned

If you haven't cleaned your drains in a few years, now's the time to take care of that. Over time, your drains can get clogged up with food particles, hair, and grease. That buildup can lead to stubborn clogs and other plumbing problems. The last thing you want to deal with are drain problems this summer. Now that you're prepping for summer get-togethers, have your drains cleaned. Once you have your drains cleaned, use the following tips to keep them clean and smelling fresh all summer long.

Toilets

To prevent clogs in your toilets this summer, toss a cup of rock salt into the toilet bowl and flush it down. The rock salt will break up any toilet paper and waste that's left behind.

Kitchen Sinks

To keep your kitchen sinks smelling fresh, slice a fresh lemon and place it in the garbage disposal. Add a cup of crushed ice and turn the disposal on for a few seconds. Your kitchen will smell lemon-fresh.

Give Your Septic System Some TLC

If your home is attached to a septic system instead of a municipal sewer system, you should have the tank emptied before summer arrives, especially if it's been several years since your last septic servicing. Septic tanks should be emptied about once every three to five years. With the added water usage during the summer, your septic tank is more likely to overflow. If that happens, you could notice smelly puddles developing in your backyard, or you could have raw sewage back up into your tubs. You can prevent septic-related plumbing problems by having your septic tank serviced before your summer festivities begin.

Summer will be here soon. It's time to make sure your plumbing is ready for action. For other tips on how to get your plumbing ready for the warm weather, talk to a plumber near you.