Summer Plumbing Maintenance Checklist for Metro Vancouver Homeowners

• Outdoor faucets
• Irrigation systems
• Kitchen and bathroom drains
• Water heaters
• Sewer laterals. 

A simple walk around your property and a few checks inside the house can save you from unexpected plumbing bills later in the year.

Why Summer Is a Critical Season for Plumbing in Metro Vancouver

After months of wet weather, the ground begins to dry in summer and the following things start to happen.

• As the soil shrinks, underground pipes can shift slightly. 
• Older sewer lines are especially vulnerable if they already have small cracks or loose joints.
• Tree roots become another problem. Roots naturally grow towards moisture. If they find even a tiny opening in a sewer pipe, they’ll keep growing inside it. 
• Your outdoor plumbing also comes back into regular use. 
• Small leaks that went unnoticed all winter suddenly become obvious.

On the brighter side, it’s much easier to inspect your plumbing now than during the rainy season. A few checks for plumbing repair are much easier than dealing with an emergency later.

Outdoor Plumbing Checklist

Your outdoor plumbing works much harder during summer. You should spend a little time checking that everything is working properly.

Hose Bibs and Exterior Faucets

• Start with every outdoor tap around your home.
• Turn each one on slowly and let it run for a minute.
• Look closely around the faucet. If you notice your tap dripping from the handle or around the wall, don’t ignore it. 
• Pay attention to the water pressure as well.
• If the flow feels weaker than usual, there could be a problem with the supply line or a partially closed shutoff valve.
• If you turned the outdoor water off during winter, take a quick look inside the wall or crawl space after using the tap for the first time.
•  Moisture in those areas could point to freeze damage that stayed hidden until now.

Many small leaks can be fixed with a simple washer replacement. Catching them early is always cheaper than repairing water damage later.

Garden Hoses and Connections

Garden hoses don’t last forever. Connect the hose and watch for drips where it attaches to the faucet. Most of the time replacing a small rubber washer solves the problem in minutes.

Try not to leave hoses connected all season. 

Irrigation and Sprinkler Systems

If your home has an irrigation system, run every zone before the hottest weeks of summer arrive.

Many Metro Vancouver municipalities introduce seasonal watering restrictions during summer. Updating your controller now can help you stay within local rules and avoid wasting water.

Perimeter Drains and Surface Drainage

If your home has visible perimeter drain outlets, make sure water can flow through them without obstruction.

Unlike many homes in other parts of Canada, most Metro Vancouver properties rely on perimeter drains instead of sump pumps. Keeping them clear helps protect your foundation when the rainy season returns.

Kitchen and Bathroom Drain Checklist

Summer usually means a busier kitchen.This is the perfect time to make sure everything is flowing properly.

Kitchen Drains

• Run hot water through the kitchen sink for about a minute.
• If the water drains more slowly it means your kitchen sink is clogged.  Grease is probably starting to build up inside the pipe.
• Open the cabinet underneath the sink while the water is running.
• Look for damp spots, water stains or slow drips around the pipe connections. Small leaks often stay hidden for months because nobody looks inside the cabinet very often.
• If you have a garburator, turn it on while running cold water.
• Listen for any unusual noises. Grinding, humming, or rattling sounds can be an early sign that something needs attention.

Bathroom Drains

• Bathroom drains are much easier to clean before they become clogged.
• Lift the shower or bathtub drain cover and remove any hair that’s built up underneath.
• Check that sink stoppers open fully.
• A stopper that’s stuck halfway can make a perfectly healthy drain seem blocked.
• Finally, run water in more than one bathroom at the same time.

If every drain starts slowing down together, the problem may be in the main sewer line rather than inside one bathroom. You should schedule a sewage and drainage inspection from a professional. 

Toilet Check

A leaking toilet doesn’t always make noise. Here’s an easy way to test it.

• Add a few drops of food colouring to the toilet tank. Wait about fifteen minutes without flushing.
• If colour appears in the bowl, the flapper inside the tank needs replacing.
• Before you finish gently rock the toilet from side to side. It shouldn’t move.
• Even a slight wobble can mean the seal underneath is starting to fail.

Water Heater Checklist

Your water heater probably isn’t something you think about during summer.

A little maintenance now can help it last longer and keep it running efficiently when winter arrives.

Tank Water Heaters

• Start by looking around the tank.
• Do you see rust, water stains, or moisture near the pipes? Even a slow drip is worth investigating before it turns into a bigger leak.
• If your manufacturer recommends flushing the tank, now is a good time to do it. If your water heater is more than four or five years old, ask your plumber to inspect the anode rod during its next service. 
• This small part helps prevent the inside of the tank from rusting. Replacing it at the right time can add years to your water heater’s life.
• Finally, check the temperature settings. Health Canada recommends setting the water heater itself to 60°C (140°F) so bacteria like Legionella cannot grow inside the tank. To stop burns at the tap, an anti-scald mixing valve then brings the water reaching your faucets, tub and shower down to about 49°C (120°F). Setting the tank itself to 49°C is not the same thing and leaves the stored water too cool to be safe.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless systems need maintenance too.

• If it has been more than a year since your last service, schedule a descale. Even Metro Vancouver’s relatively soft water leaves behind mineral deposits over time.
• Take a quick look at the air intake and vent openings. Remove any leaves, dirt, or nests that may have built up.

If your hot water seems slower than it used to be, don’t ignore it. It could simply mean the heat exchanger needs cleaning.

Heat Pump and Hydronic Heating System Checklist

Heat pumps have become common across Metro Vancouver because they provide both heating and cooling.

Before the hottest days arrive, make sure yours is ready for the season.

Heat Pump Cooling Check

Switch your system to cooling mode and let it run for about fifteen minutes. The air coming from the vents should feel cool and consistent.

If it doesn’t, start with the simplest fix. 

• Check the air filter. A dirty filter reduces airflow and makes the entire system work harder than it needs to.
• Next, head outside. Clear away weeds, leaves, and anything blocking the outdoor unit. Heat pumps need space around them to move air properly.
• While the system is running, look for water draining from the condensate line. If you notice water collecting around the indoor unit, the drain could be blocked.

If your home still isn’t cooling properly after these checks, it’s time to call an emergency plumber before the summer rush begins.

Hydronic Heating Systems

• Even if your heating system won’t be used for months, don’t forget about it.
• Summer is the perfect time for routine servicing because you’re not relying on it every day.
• If your radiators made gurgling noises last winter, have them bled before the heating season returns.
• Annual servicing also gives your plumber a chance to check system pressure and protective chemicals that help prevent internal corrosion.

Underground and Sewer Lateral Checklist

Some of the most expensive plumbing repairs happen underground.

• If one patch of grass stays much greener than everything around it, don’t assume it’s healthier. Extra moisture below the surface could mean a leaking water or sewer pipe.
• Watch for areas where the ground feels unusually soft or begins to sink.
• Inside the house, pay attention to your drains.
• If the kitchen sink, shower, and bathroom sink all start draining slowly around the same time, the problem may be in the main sewer line instead of one fixture.

Older homes deserve extra attention.

If your home was built before 1970 and mature trees grow nearby, a sewer camera inspection is a smart investment.

Leak Detection Checklist

One of the easiest checks starts at your water meter.

• Turn off every tap and appliance that uses water. 
• Write down the meter reading. Wait about thirty minutes without using any water, then check again. If the reading has changed, there’s a good chance water is escaping somewhere.
• Next, look under every sink. Feel around the pipe connections. Check the back corners of the cabinet for damp spots or water stains.
• Don’t forget your washing machine hoses. Rubber hoses become weaker as they age and remain one of the most common causes of sudden water damage.
• If your refrigerator has a water dispenser or ice maker, pull it forward carefully and check the supply line behind it.

These quick checks only take a few minutes but can prevent costly repairs later.

Vacation Preparation Checklist

Going away for a week or two? Spend ten minutes preparing your plumbing before you leave.

• If you’ll be away for more than two weeks, turn off the main water supply before locking the door.
• For shorter trips, at least shut off the washing machine valves. A burst hose can flood a home long before anyone notices.

Set your water heater to vacation mode if your model includes that feature.

Strata Building Checklist

If you live in a condo or townhouse, some plumbing responsibilities are shared with your strata. Others belong to you.

If you notice slow drains, report them early.

• A blockage in a shared pipe can affect several units, not just yours.
• Take a moment to find your unit’s main shutoff valve. Knowing where it is could save valuable time during an emergency.
• It’s also a good idea to test the shutoff valves under sinks and behind toilets once a year. Valves that never move can seize over time.
• Inspect your washing machine hoses. A small leak in one apartment has the potential to damage several homes below.

Water Conservation Checklist

Saving water isn’t just good for the environment. It can also lower your utility bills during the busiest months of the year.

• Check your municipality’s outdoor watering rules before setting your sprinkler schedule.
• Watering early in the morning helps reduce evaporation and gives your lawn more time to absorb moisture.
• Fix dripping taps as soon as you notice them.
• A leak that seems insignificant today can waste thousands of litres over a year.

If your showerheads or faucet aerators are older, replacing them with efficient models is a simple upgrade that reduces water use without changing your daily routine.

DIY or Call a Plumber?

Many jobs on this checklist are easy enough for homeowners like

• Cleaning shower drains
• Replacing a hose washer
• Checking for toilet leaks
• Clearing outdoor drain grates all require basic tools.

Other jobs are best left to experienced professionals like

• Sewer camera inspections
• backflow testing
• gas appliance work
• refrigerant servicing

and major water heater repairs need specialist equipment and training.

When to Call Lew Plumbing

If you come across something that doesn’t look right, don’t leave it until autumn.

A small leak, a slow drain, or an unusual water bill can all be early signs of a bigger issue hiding out of sight.

Whether you need a sewer camera inspection, water heater service, drain cleaning, or help finding a hidden leak, the team at Lew Plumbing is here to help homeowners across Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, and West Vancouver.

Call us today to schedule a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I check my plumbing during summer?

A full inspection at the start of summer is usually enough. If you notice slow drains, higher water bills, or damp areas, don’t wait for your next seasonal check.

Should I flush my water heater every year?

Most tank water heaters benefit from annual flushing. Always check your manufacturer’s maintenance guide before doing any work yourself.

How can I tell if my toilet is leaking?

Add a few drops of food colouring to the tank and wait about fifteen minutes. If the colour reaches the bowl without flushing, the flapper seal should be replaced.

Is summer the best time for a sewer camera inspection?

Yes. Dry ground and lower groundwater levels often provide a clearer view of your sewer line, making summer an ideal time for inspections.

What should I do if several drains become slow at once?

That usually points to a problem in the main drain or sewer line. It’s best to arrange a professional inspection before the blockage gets worse.