A holiday is always an excuse to celebrate. However, when you are having fun with family and friends at home, it can be so easy to forget (and neglect) your plumbing system. This can turn into an unfortunate and ill-timed disaster should your plumbing system fail. You do not want your pipes to break and cause problems in the middle of a holiday. Make sure your plumbing system is prepped and functional when the big holiday comes by following some seasonal plumbing tips.
How To Prepare Your Plumbing For The Holiday Season
In this article, we share some plumbing tips to get you through the holiday season.
Inspect Your Plumbing System
Perform a visual inspection of your plumbing pipes, sinks, garbage disposal, and toilets. Look for corrosion, warps, or leaks. Very often, small problems lead to bigger issues. Performing preventative measures now will help you avoid disasters later. If there are rusted or damaged pipes and components, call a plumber to replace or repair them immediately.
Clear Any Clogs In The Drains
Try manually moving any clogs from the drains using pipe cleaners or hot water. If the drains are severely clogged, call a professional plumbing company. Do not use drain cleaners as this can further aggravate the issue.
To keep your drains clear, do not pour down grease, oils, and other fatty substances in your sink. Fats solidify at lower temperatures and will clog the pipes in no time, preventing proper flow. To keep this from happening, dispose of oils properly. Wipe off any oily spills using a paper towel, then put it in the trash bin. Use an oil-cutting soap or vinegar to wash away the buildup. This will keep the sink clean, prevent water spots, and keep your drains clear.
Make Sure Your Water Heater Is Working
More people in a home means a spike in demand for hot water, something that could easily overwhelm your water heater depending on its capacity. Before a big holiday or gathering, check the condition of your water heater. If it is showing a few issues, call a licensed plumber to inspect them immediately.
To avoid overworking your hot water heater, try turning up the temperature but keep it to 120 degrees Fahrenheit at the most. At this temperature, your water heater will be able to keep up with increased demand and provide you with hot water when needed. Do not allow the temperature to go over this level. When the holiday is over, simply bring the temperature back to its usual setting.
It is also a good idea to give the water heater some time between showers. Let it rest for a few minutes between one shower to the next so it can recover properly.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
The holiday months in most regions experience low temperatures that make water pipes susceptible to freezing. This usually happens when there is water left in them. During cold months, make sure to disconnect hoses, and drain outdoor pipes and spigots of water. If you live in an area where temperatures can go below freezing point, check the level of insulation your pipes have. Keep the temperature in your thermostat at a sufficient level to keep water warm and flowing.
Keep Toilets Unclogged
Practice proper disposal in the toilet. You should flush only waste and toilet paper. Facial tissues, cotton pads, sanitary items, and baby wipes should never be flushed down. Instead, keep a trash bin near the toilet for proper disposal of paper and plastic waste. For toilet clogs, keep a plunger nearby or call a professional plumber.
Take Care Of The Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals bear the brunt of managing organic waste during a holiday when you are serving plenty of food. Do not overwork your garbage disposal and use it properly. When putting food down the drain, cut big chunks into smaller pieces to make them easier to grind. Do not dispose of fibrous items such as vegetable and fruit peels, animal skin, celery, and pasta down a garbage disposal. The same goes for oatmeal, coffee grounds, nuts, eggshells, and bones. Run cool water as you grind items to let the debris flow freely down the drain.
Call Robinson Plumbing For All Of Your Residential Plumbing Requirements
For reliable plumbing services, contact Robinson Plumbing, one of the Lehigh Valley’s most trusted plumbing companies.
Our plumbing services range from water leak detection and repairs, clogged drains, to the installation of water-efficient plumbing fixtures. For any plumbing repairs, we always offer a wide range of solutions whenever possible. This way, you can choose the option that works best for your budget and family.
We are proud to offer the best and most affordable plumbing services in the area. All of our plumbers have the proper licenses and experience to ensure your satisfaction. All of our work is guaranteed. Contact Robinson Plumbing today to schedule a free estimate.
Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or click here to contact us for any questions that you might have!