By taking proactive steps and engaging in professional plumbing maintenance, homeowners can prevent common plumbing problems and enjoy a stress-free holiday season.
The holiday season is a time for gatherings, celebrations, and spending time with loved ones. However, increased household activity can strain the plumbing system, leading to potential issues that could disrupt the festivities. By taking proactive steps and engaging in professional plumbing maintenance, homeowners can prevent common plumbing problems and enjoy a stress-free holiday season.
Schedule Professional Plumbing Maintenance
Before the holiday rush begins, scheduling professional plumbing maintenance can help identify and address potential issues. An expert plumber can conduct a detailed inspection of the entire plumbing system, checking for leaks, clogs, and other problems that could escalate with increased use. Regular maintenance prevents emergencies and extends the lifespan of the plumbing system, keeping it in optimal condition.
Prepare the Kitchen
The kitchen is often the heart of holiday gatherings, which means sinks and garbage disposals can be working overtime. To prevent clogs and other issues, avoid disposing of grease, oil, and large food scraps down the sink. Grease can solidify and create blockages in the pipes, while large food particles can damage the garbage disposal. Instead, dispose of grease in a different container and utilize a strainer to catch food debris.
Running the garbage disposal regularly with cold water helps keep it clear and functioning properly. Cold water solidifies any remaining grease, making it easier for the disposal to chop it up and flush it through the system. If a clog happens to occur, utilizing a plunger or a plumber’s snake can often clear the blockage. For more severe issues, contacting an emergency plumbing service is advisable.
Check Bathroom Fixtures
Bathrooms may see increased use during the holidays, making it important to inspect and maintain fixtures. Checking for leaks in faucets, showerheads, and toilets can prevent water waste and potential damage. Small leaks can typically be repaired by tightening connections or swapping out worn-out washers.
Toilets are particularly prone to clogs during periods of heavy use. Flush only toilet papar to halt blockages. Items such as wipes, sanitary products, and paper towels can cause significant clogs that require professional intervention. Keeping a plunger handy can help address minor clogs quickly, but for persistent issues, contacting a professional plumbing service is the best course of action.
Inspect the Water Heater
A functioning water heater is essential for holiday comfort, offering hot water for showers, dishwashing, and laundry. Inspecting the water heater for signs of trouble can prevent unexpected breakdowns. Look for any leaks or corrosion around the tank and listen for unusual noises, which can indicate sediment buildup.
Annually flushing the water heater removes sediment that can reduce efficiency and lead to damage. Putting the thermostat on a safe temperature, typically around 120 degrees Fahrenheit, can also prevent scalding and save energy. For any concerns or required maintenance, a licensed plumber can provide expert service and advice.
Prepare for Cold Weather
In areas where temperatures drop notably during the holidays, preventing frozen pipes is crucial. Insulating exposed pipes in basements, attics, and crawl spaces can protect them from freezing temperatures. Pipe insulation sleeves can be effective solutions.
Keeping the home’s temperature consistent, even when away, helps prevent pipes from freezing. Opening cabinet doors under sinks gives warm air the opportunity to circulate around the pipes. In extremely cold weather, letting a trickle of water run from faucets can keep water moving through the pipes, decreasing the risk of freezing. If a pipe does freeze, a hair dryer or heating pad can be used to thaw it slowly, but contacting an emergency plumbing service is recommended if the pipe has burst.
Be Mindful of Outdoor Plumbing
In colder climates, outdoor plumbing, such as garden hoses and irrigation systems, also requires attention before the holidays. Disconnecting and storing garden hoses can prevent them from freezing and cracking. Turning off the water line to outdoor faucets and draining any remaining water can protect these fixtures from freezing temperatures. A professional plumbing service can assist with winterizing outdoor plumbing to confirm it is properly protected.
Know When to Call for Help
Despite the best efforts to prevent plumbing issues, emergencies can still occur. Knowing when to call for professional help is critical to stop further damage and restore functionality quickly. Signs that need immediate attention from an emergency plumbing service include major leaks, burst pipes, persistent clogs, and a lack of hot water.
Having the information of a reliable plumbing service can provide peace of mind during the holidays. Expert plumbers are equipped to handle a variety of issues and offer prompt and effective solutions to keep the plumbing system running smoothly.
Preventing plumbing issues during the holidays involves proactive maintenance and mindful usage. By scheduling professional plumbing maintenance, preparing the kitchen and bathroom fixtures, inspecting the water heater, protecting pipes from cold weather, and knowing when to call for help, homeowners can enjoy a hassle-free holiday season. Engaging a licensed plumber for routine checks and emergency services guarantees that the plumbing system remains efficient and reliable, allowing the focus to stay on celebrating with family and friends.
Jimmy Joe’s Plumbing is a licensed, insured, and bonded plumbing service offering garbage disposals, tubs and showers, leak detection and pipe repairs, water treatment, and home remodeling plumbing services to Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, and Chandler area homeowners.
