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How Summer Heat Affects Your Pipes and Drains

Expert

June 17, 2025

What Summer Heat Can Do to Your Pipes and Drains

As the long, sun-drenched days of summer arrive across South East England, most of us look forward to outdoor activities, holidays, and generally enjoying the warmer weather. What often goes unnoticed, however, is the significant, yet subtle, impact this increased heat can have on the very infrastructure of our homes and businesses: your plumbing and drainage systems. From the expansion and contraction of pipes to increased usage and unique environmental factors, summer can present a range of challenges that, if ignored, can lead to costly and disruptive issues.

At Drainage & Plumbing LTD, we understand the specific pressures that seasonal changes put on your essential systems. With our dedicated 24/7 emergency service, highly trained technicians, and commitment to rapid, effective solutions across Croydon, Sutton, Wallington, Coulsdon, Banstead, Bromley, Mitcham, Epsom, Reigate, Redhill, Leatherhead, Kingston upon Thames, Wimbledon, Richmond, Caterham, Guildford, Crawley, and Haywards Heath, we are your local experts in ensuring your plumbing runs smoothly, no matter the weather.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the various ways summer heat affects your pipes and drains, outline common problems, and provide essential tips for prevention. Most importantly, we’ll explain how Drainage & Plumbing LTD stands ready to assist you with fast, reliable, and professional service throughout South East England.

The Science of Heat and Your Plumbing: Expansion and Contraction

One of the most fundamental principles of physics that comes into play during hot weather is thermal expansion and contraction. Materials, including the metals and plastics used in your plumbing, expand when heated and contract when cooled. While this might seem like a minor detail, the constant fluctuation can exert significant stress on your system.

How Different Pipe Materials React

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Pipes: Commonly used for drainage lines due to their affordability and ease of installation, PVC is particularly susceptible to thermal expansion. When hot water flows through them, or when exposed to high ambient temperatures, PVC pipes expand. As they cool, they contract. Over time, this repeated movement can loosen joints, leading to leaks, or even cause pipes to crack, especially if they are old or have pre-existing weaknesses.
Copper Pipes: While more durable than PVC, copper pipes also expand and contract with temperature changes. If copper pipes are rigidly installed without proper allowance for movement (such as expansion loops or flexible hangers), the stress can lead to noisy “water hammer” effects or, in severe cases, fatigue cracks near fittings.
Cast Iron Pipes: Often found in older homes, cast iron is less prone to significant expansion and contraction than plastic or copper. However, extreme temperature swings can still contribute to the degradation of seals and joints over many years, potentially leading to slow leaks or seepage.

The key issue here is not just the expansion itself, but the repeated cycle. Day after day, as temperatures rise and fall, your pipes are subtly shifting, testing the integrity of every connection and joint. This continuous stress can eventually manifest as a pinhole leak in a rarely inspected area or a gradual weakening of a critical fitting, leading to a sudden, more substantial problem.

Increased Summer Usage: More Water, More Stress

Summer often means more people are home, children are out of school, and households are more active. This leads to a significant increase in water consumption and, consequently, greater strain on your drainage system.

Showers and Baths

With hotter temperatures, people tend to shower more frequently to cool down. This increased volume of water flowing through drains, combined with more hair and soap scum, can accelerate the buildup of blockages in bathroom sinks, showers, and tubs.

Laundry Cycles

Summer means more outdoor activities, which often translates to dirtier clothes and more frequent laundry cycles. Excess detergent, lint, and soil can accumulate in washing machine drains, leading to slow drainage or even overflows if not properly managed.

Outdoor Water Usage

Gardening, car washing, filling paddling pools, and running sprinkler systems all contribute to a higher demand on your home’s water supply and drainage. While much of this water may not go directly down your internal drains, it puts pressure on your main sewer line and the overall municipal water system, which can have indirect effects on your home’s plumbing.

Evaporation and Odours: The Case of the Dry P-Trap

One of the more unpleasant summer plumbing issues is the emergence of foul odours from sinks, showers, and floor drains. This is often due to a dry P-trap.

The P-trap (the U-shaped bend in your drainpipe) is designed to hold a small amount of water, creating a seal that prevents sewer gases from entering your home. During periods of high heat, especially in less-used bathrooms, utility rooms, or basement drains, this water can evaporate. Without the water seal, unpleasant sewer odours (methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia) can easily waft into your living spaces. This problem is particularly common in holiday homes or properties left vacant for extended periods during the summer.

Beyond the smell, a dry P-trap can also allow small insects or pests to enter your home through the drain line. Regularly running water for a few seconds in all your drains, especially those less frequently used, can easily replenish the P-trap seal and prevent these issues.

Grease and Fat Build-up: A Summer BBQ Dilemma

Summer is synonymous with barbecues and outdoor cooking. While the grilling is fun, the aftermath can be troublesome for your drains. Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from cooking, whether it’s barbecue drippings, salad dressings, or even dairy products, are liquid when hot but solidify as they cool.

During warmer months, these substances might remain liquid for longer, giving the impression that they are flowing freely down your drain. However, once they encounter the cooler temperatures of your main drainage lines or the sewer system, they congeal and cling to pipe walls. Over time, this build-up restricts flow and eventually leads to stubborn blockages. This issue is particularly prevalent during summer due to the increased frequency of outdoor cooking and the disposal of associated waste. Our team at Drainage & Plumbing LTD are experts in tackling these greasy build-ups, using advanced techniques to restore full flow and prevent future recurrence.

Tree Root Intrusion: Thirsty Roots in Dry Soil

Summer’s heat often brings with it drier soil conditions. As the ground dries out, tree and shrub roots become increasingly desperate for moisture. Your underground sewer and drainage pipes, which typically contain a reliable source of water, become highly attractive targets.

Even the tiniest crack, loose joint, or microscopic opening in a pipe can provide an entry point for these persistent roots. Once inside, they proliferate, feeding on the water and nutrients, and forming dense masses that can completely obstruct the pipe. This leads to slow drains, gurgling noises, and eventually, severe backups. The problem is exacerbated in summer as roots grow more actively and seek out new water sources. Regular professional drain inspections can help detect early signs of root intrusion before it escalates into a major blockage or pipe damage.

Summer Storms and Heavy Downpours: Overwhelmed Systems

While summer often conjures images of clear skies, it also brings some of the most intense and sudden downpours. Heavy thunderstorms can dump vast amounts of rain in a short period, overwhelming drainage systems that are not prepared or are already partially blocked.

Storm Drains: Gutters, downspouts, and external drains can become clogged with leaves, debris, and sediment, especially after a dry spell. When a sudden heavy rain hits, the water has nowhere to go, leading to overflows, water accumulation around your foundation, and potential flooding in basements or crawl spaces.
Sewer Overload: Excessive rainfall can also surcharge municipal sewer systems, pushing water back up through lateral lines into homes. This is particularly concerning if your property has a history of sewer backups or if your main sewer line is partially blocked by roots or debris.

Other Summer-Specific Plumbing Concerns

Beyond the primary issues, summer can also highlight or create other plumbing problems:

Water Heater Strain: While not directly related to heat expanding pipes, increased hot water usage during summer (more showers, laundry) can put a greater strain on your water heater, especially if it’s older or undersized. This can lead to reduced efficiency or, in some cases, early failure.
Irrigation System Leaks: If you have an automated sprinkler or irrigation system, summer is when it’s heavily used. Hidden leaks in these systems can go unnoticed for long periods, leading to wasted water, inflated bills, and potential damage to your landscaping or even your home’s foundation if water accumulates.
Outdoor Faucets and Hose Bibbs: These are used extensively in summer. Leaky outdoor faucets can lead to significant water waste and, if located close to your home’s foundation, can cause structural damage over time.

Proactive Steps for Homeowners: Protecting Your Plumbing This Summer

Being proactive can save you a lot of hassle and expense. Here are key measures you can take to protect your plumbing during the hotter months:

Run Seldom-Used Faucets: As mentioned, regularly run water in all sinks, showers, and floor drains, especially in guest bathrooms or utility rooms, to keep P-traps full and prevent sewer gas odours.
Dispose of FOG Properly: Never pour fats, oils, or grease down any drain. Scrape them into a container and dispose of them with your regular rubbish. This is the single most effective way to prevent grease build-up.
Regular Drain Cleaning: Consider professional drain cleaning, especially for frequently used drains or if you notice slow drainage. Drainage & Plumbing LTD uses high-pressure water jets to thoroughly clean pipes, removing build-up before it becomes a major blockage.
Monitor Water Pressure and Usage: Keep an eye on your water bill for unexpected spikes, which could indicate a hidden leak. Also, be aware of sudden drops in water pressure throughout your home.
Check Outdoor Plumbing: Inspect outdoor faucets, hoses, and sprinkler systems for leaks or damage. Repair any drips promptly.
Manage Landscaping: Be mindful of trees and large shrubs planted too close to underground utility lines. While you can’t stop root growth, professional drain cleaning can help manage existing root intrusion.
Clear Gutters and Downspouts: Before heavy summer storms, ensure your gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves and debris to allow rainwater to drain effectively away from your foundation.
Insulate Exposed Pipes: If you have pipes in unconditioned spaces like basements, crawl spaces, or attics that are exposed to significant temperature fluctuations, consider insulating them. While often done for winter, it can also help reduce the impact of expansion and contraction in summer.

Why Choose Drainage & Plumbing LTD for Your Summer Plumbing Needs

While preventative measures are crucial, plumbing issues can arise unexpectedly. When they do, especially during the busy summer months, you need a reliable, expert team you can trust. That’s where Drainage & Plumbing LTD excels.

Our Unwavering Commitment to You:

24/7 Emergency Service: We understand that drainage and plumbing emergencies don’t wait for business hours. Our team is on call 24/7 to handle urgent drain problems quickly and efficiently, any time, any day, minimizing disruption to your home or business. We aim to respond within 2 hours of your enquiry.
Local Experts: We proudly serve South East England within a 25-mile radius, including Croydon, Sutton, Wallington, Coulsdon, Banstead, Bromley, Mitcham, Epsom, Reigate, Redhill, Leatherhead, Kingston upon Thames, Wimbledon, Richmond, Caterham, Guildford, Crawley, Haywards Heath. This local presence means we can offer a fast response, aiming to arrive within 60 minutes wherever you are.
Reliability and Expertise: When it comes to drainage and plumbing services in South East England, we stand out for our reliability, expertise, and unwavering commitment to customer care. Our vision is to be the most trusted local expert for residential and commercial drainage solutions.
Highly Trained and Certified Technicians: Behind every fast response and successful fix is a skilled drainage engineer. Our team is experienced, fully equipped, and ready to tackle even the toughest blockages always with a professional attitude and a friendly approach. We use the latest technology to accurately diagnose and resolve issues while following strict industry standards.
Comprehensive Services: Whether you’re dealing with a minor clog or a major emergency, we have the solutions. Our services include:
- Blocked Broken Drains: We fix blocked or damaged drains quickly and efficiently, using the right tools to restore proper flow and prevent further issues.
- Build-up of Fat in Drains: We safely remove grease and fat deposits, helping prevent them from returning.
- Drainage Problems: From bad smells to slow-draining sinks, we diagnose and solve all types of drainage problems for homes and businesses.
- Drain Cleaning: Regular drain cleaning helps prevent blockages and costly repairs. We use high-pressure water jets to keep your pipes clear and flowing.
- Leak Detection: We locate hidden leaks with advanced equipment, helping you avoid water damage and high water bills.
- Toilet Blockage: Whether it’s a minor clog or a major blockage, we’ll get your toilet working again—fast, clean, and hassle-free.
Simple, Honest Process: We keep it simple: fast, honest, and effective. When you contact us, we’ll ask a few quick questions to understand the issue, then send one of our experienced engineers straight to you. Most problems are fixed on the spot, and we always explain the job clearly—no surprises, no hidden costs.

With over 900+ projects done, affordable pricing, and guaranteed satisfaction, Drainage & Plumbing LTD is your top-rated choice for drainage services in South East England.

Don’t Let Summer Heat Ruin Your Peace of Mind

Summer should be a time of relaxation and enjoyment, not plumbing worries. By understanding how the heat can affect your pipes and drains, and by taking simple preventative steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of common issues.

However, if a problem does arise, know that Drainage & Plumbing LTD is just a call or email away. Our mission is to provide fast, reliable, and professional drainage and plumbing services across all South East England, ensuring your home or business remains comfortable and functional throughout the warmest months and beyond.

Get In Touch Today!

Need help with a drainage or plumbing issue? We’re here and ready to assist you. Whether it’s a quick question or an emergency call-out, feel free to reach out by phone, email, or WhatsApp. We aim to respond as quickly as possible.