The holiday season has finally arrived, and soon your guests will be arriving at your home. Be sure to prevent plumbing issues from interfering with your holiday entertaining. Check out these plumbing tips to help prepare your home for the season!
1. Clear Slow Drains – Slow Drains can be an issue when more than one family is using your bathrooms. Clearing slow drains is the best way to ensure that your guests and the rest of your family will be able to take showers and keep your bathroom functioning throughout the season. A simple plunge should clear out small clogs. However, serious clog issues should be handled by a professional plumber.
2. Clean The Garbage Disposal – During the holiday season, it’s important to remember that disposals can only handle a certain amount of food all at once. You should avoid putting bones or other fibrous scraps (celery, fruit peels, poultry skin, etc.) down your disposal because these items are difficult to grind and create the potential for a clogged disposal. To make sure your garbage disposal is running efficiently, pour rock salt and ice into the disposal. Then, run cold water and turn the disposal on. This will help sharpen the blades and also help clear the disposal of leftover food.
3. Investigate Sewer Problems – Sewer problems can put your holiday plans on hold. If your sewers are presenting signs of trouble, have your plumber investigate these problems before your guests arrive. Signs of sewer problems are obvious when:
All the drains in the house become slow at once
Strange gurgling noises from the drains can be heard
Water overflows into different plumbing fixtures
A strange foul smell coming from one or more drains
If you’ve noticed any of these problems occurring in your house, contact a plumber immediately!
4. Protect Your Pipes – As the temperature start to drop below freezing, you are going to have to be concerned about your pipes freezing and bursting. To help your pipes from freezing, make sure to shut off all of your outside water valves and remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. It is important to close the inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs and to open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. If your pipes are prone to freezing, then you may need to have a professional plumber inspect your pipes and insulate where necessary.
5. Turn Up Your Water Heater – Your water heater works it’s hardest during the holidays, be sure to check that is not overwhelmed by turning the heater up to raise its capacity. Do not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit and remember to turn your water heater back down after the holidays to avoid wasting energy.
Not every plumbing emergency can be prevented, so if you do have an emergency this holiday season call the plumbing experts at Komar! We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services even on holidays.
Even if you don’t have a plumbing emergency and just need help preparing your home for the season, feel free to give us a call at 330 –758– 5073!