June 1, 2025 · 5 min read
6 Common Plumbing Issues in Summer Homes
Arriving on holiday and finding a blocked, smelly shower is the last thing you want. A practical guide for summer-home plumbing.
Your summer home stays closed for months and your plumbing is tested from minute one when you arrive. Here are the 6 most common issues and how to prevent them.
1. Frozen or burst pipes
If the main valve wasn't closed in winter, pipes may crack from freezing. Pressure test before refilling at the start of the season.
2. Blocked drains
Unused drains accumulate sediment; the first use can cause water to back up. A spiral or pressure-jet cleaning is recommended.
3. Smells from toilets and traps
Water in traps evaporates and lets sewer smell into the home. Pouring a few litres of water down each trap usually solves it.
4. Boiler / water heater faults
Boilers that haven't run for months can lose pressure or trap air. A professional check extends service life.
5. Sediment in the water tank
Without start-of-season cleaning, sediment in the water tank degrades water quality and blocks filters.
6. Invisible hidden leaks
Small leaks go unnoticed in closed homes and grow over time. A simple opening-season inspection saves costly repairs.