Why Summer Is the Best Time to Get on Top of Plumbing Maintenance in Sydney

While most people associate plumbing problems with winter chills and heavy rainfall, summer is actually one of the smartest times of year to take care of your plumbing.

In Sydney, summer brings dry weather, long daylight hours, and a natural lull before the school and work year ramps back up. It’s also the time when many households are away on holidays – making it the ideal season to tackle preventative plumbing maintenance without disruption.

At STS Plumbing, we believe that solving problems early is always better than reacting to emergencies. Here’s why summer is the perfect opportunity to get on the front foot with your plumbing and protect your home from surprise issues down the track.

1. Dry Weather = Easier Roof, Gutter, and Stormwater Inspections

Sydney’s storm season can wreak havoc on roofs, gutters, and stormwater systems, but you won’t know there’s an issue until heavy rain hits. By using the dry summer period to check over these areas, we can spot problems before they become costly leaks or overflows.

What we look for:

Rusted or sagging gutters
Blocked downpipes or leaf build-up
Damaged roof flashing or cracked tiles
Overflow issues around pits and drains

Why it matters: During a downpour, poor drainage can lead to internal water damage, electrical faults, or erosion around the property. Summer checks allow for easy repairs in good conditions, without wet-weather delays.

2. Catch Hidden Leaks While Water Use Is High

With school holidays in full swing, guests staying over, and increased use of outdoor taps and hoses, your water usage peaks during summer. That makes it the ideal time to detect hidden leaks or inefficiencies.

STS Plumbing can help identify issues such as:

Leaking toilets
Dripping taps (indoors and out)
Burst or cracked pipes from age or root intrusion
Slow leaks in walls or under sinks

Fixing small leaks now can save you hundreds in water bills over the next year.

3. Summer = Peak Hot Water Use (And Peak Failures)

Think hot water issues only happen in winter? Think again. Summer is one of the busiest times of year for hot water system repairs and replacements, especially around the New Year when parts of Sydney are shut down.

Why? Increased household use from guests, outdoor showers, dishwashers, and washing machines puts more strain on ageing hot water systems. Add high temperatures, and pressure valves can fail.

Signs your hot water system needs attention:

Water that fluctuates in temperature or runs cold quickly
Brown or rusty water from the hot tap
Unusual noises from the tank
Water is pooling around the base of the system

If your system is over 8–10 years old, summer is the perfect time to assess whether an upgrade is needed before a sudden failure.

4. Get Your Plumbing Ready for the Year Ahead

With the quiet summer period, now is the time to get ahead of your to-do list. Once school returns, the kids’ activities begin, and work picks up, you’ll thank yourself for checking the following off:

Check tap washers and shower heads
Inspect flexi hoses (which can burst)
Flush and clean floor wastes and drains
Test water pressure and check for slow flow
Assess ageing toilets, cisterns, and sinks

Our plumbing maintenance check includes all of the above and more, tailored to the age and type of your home.

5. Preparing for Storms, Heatwaves, and Bushfire Risk

Sydney summers are unpredictable. Intense storms, long dry periods, and bushfire risk are all part of the season. Plumbing plays a crucial role in helping your home cope with these extremes.

We recommend:

Ensuring your gutters and stormwater drainage can handle heavy rain
Installing rainwater tank overflows and backflow prevention
Checking garden taps and hoses for leaks (important during water restrictions)
Ensuring rooftop access points and gutters are cleared in bushfire zones

A quick summer inspection can make all the difference between being prepared and paying for emergency repairs.

6. Easier Scheduling (and Quicker Service)

Let’s face it: emergencies rarely happen when it’s convenient. But during summer, with many people away or on reduced schedules, our availability is often higher.

Booking a non-urgent plumbing inspection in summer means:

Faster booking and turnaround times
Less disruption to your family or tenants
Time to plan any upgrades or replacements before they’re urgent

And if you are heading away over Christmas or New Year, it’s peace of mind knowing everything is in good shape while you’re gone.

Why Choose STS Plumbing for Summer Plumbing Maintenance?

STS Plumbing has been looking after homes across the Lower North Shore for over 30 years. Based in Lane Cove, we know the unique challenges of Sydney homes, from ageing pipes to tree root intrusion, to stormwater issues in tight blocks.

Here’s what you get when you book a summer plumbing inspection with us: