Thinking about sprucing up your home before the holiday festivities start? Ah, the holidays – a time for cozy gatherings, mouthwatering feasts, and heartwarming moments with loved ones. But
let’s face it, the last thing you need amid the joyous chaos is a plumbing disaster crashing your party.
Winter not only brings chilly weather but also some added TLC needs for your plumbing. In this read, we’re dishing out essential tips to keep your plumbing shipshape throughout the holiday season.
Handle Your Garbage Disposal with Care
Are you planning to whip up a feast for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner? While you’re in the kitchen, cooking up a storm and creating delicious dishes, don’t overlook your garbage disposal.
In the midst of all the activity, it’s important to be mindful of what you’re putting down the drain to prevent clogs. Here are some items to avoid putting in your disposal:
- Animal bones
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
- Fruit pits
- Grease and oil
- Non-food items
- Starchy foods like pasta and rice
Prep Your Water Heater for Guests
Hosting guests over the holidays? Your water heater is about to get a workout. Make sure it’s up to the task with these tips:
- Schedule a maintenance check to ensure it’s running smoothly.
- Our professionals can flush your water heater to clear out sediment buildup.
- Wrap your pipes snugly to conserve heat.
- If necessary, consider upgrading to a tankless water heater for endless hot water.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
While you’re snuggled up indoors on a cold night, spare a thought for your pipes braving the cold outside. Frozen pipes are a major buzzkill, but you can prevent them by:
- Insulating exposed pipes.
- Sealing any gaps or cracks.
- Keeping your thermostat on higher heat setting.
- Letting faucets drip on frigid nights.
- Opening cabinet doors to let warm air circulate.
Clear Clogs and Maintain Cleanliness
As the holiday season approaches, your sinks, drains, and toilets are bound to see increased usage. To ensure they function smoothly throughout the festivities, it’s crucial to address potential issues in advance.
- Toilet: Be mindful of what you flush down the toilet. Stick to flushing only toilet paper, as items like baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, and Q-tips can accumulate and block pipes, leading to clogs or overflows.
- Bathtub: Even seemingly harmless items like a few strands of hair can cause problems over time. Regularly clean your shower stopper to prevent hair from accumulating and slowing down water drainage. Consider using a mesh basket to trap stray hairs, which you can empty out frequently.
- Kitchen sink: While preparing holiday meals (or any meals), refrain from pouring cooking oil, fat, or grease down the sink. These substances can solidify in your pipes, causing stubborn clogs. Additionally, avoid disposing of small food scraps like bits of meat, vegetables, rice, or pasta down the drain, as they can worsen the situation.
Water Leaks & Pipe Burst
Water leaks and pipe bursts are among the most common plumbing issues homeowners face during colder winter months. Not only do these problems create messy situations to clean up, but they can also affect your home’s water pressure and even lead to system failures.
In the worst-case scenarios, leaks and bursts can cause significant damage to your property!
During the holiday season, your plumbing system undergoes more strain than usual.
Increased usage plus colder temperatures, means that issues like damaged pipes or loose fittings are more likely to surface, potentially leading to bursts or exacerbating existing leaks. To prepare for winter and the holidays, call our team of licensed plumbers for plumbing inspections and winterization.
Summing Up
Old plumbing fixtures might be on borrowed time, especially with the extra holiday usage. Stay ahead of potential disasters by replacing them before they give out. Newer models not only save water and energy but also offer peace of mind.
To prevent any mishaps, it’s wise to have a professional and licensed plumber inspect your home’s plumbing system.
At Show Plumbing, our skilled experts can identify and address potential problems, so your holidays are stress-free and disaster-free.
With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to ensure your plumbing is ready to roll. Reach us out today at (281) 860-2000 to explore our range of plumbing services. Let’s make sure your home is holiday-ready!