The holidays can be a busy time, and more than likely, you won’t be thinking about your plumbing. Your plumbing, however, can work overtime, especially if you have guests over to your home. For this reason, you need to pay attention to your plumbing to prevent any potential problems. Here are some simple plumbing tips to keep in mind during the holidays.
Don’t Use Too Much Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is designed to be flushed. However, you need to avoid flushing too much toilet paper at one time. If you flush too much toilet paper, blockages can accumulate in your drains. You can prevent this by only using a reasonable amount of toilet paper when you visit the bathroom.
Prevent Clogged Drains
Drains can get blocked by a variety of items and substances. Debris, oil, soap, and hair can easily get caught in drains. If you don’t prevent them from going down the drain, a clog can develop. To prevent this from happening, routinely clean your drains to keep debris from piling up. Clogged drains can be highly inconvenient. If you can’t remove the clog yourself, contact a professional.
Schedule a Plumbing Inspection
It is always a good idea to schedule a plumbing inspection before the holidays arrive. An inspection will help identify any plumbing problems before they escalate. It can also save you money by preventing major problems from occurring in the future. During an inspection, a plumbing professional will use specialized equipment to survey your plumbing system. They can also check the condition of your pipes and ensure everything works optimally.
Locate Your Water Shutoff Valves
You should make sure you know where the water shutoff valves are in your home. These valves allow you to quickly turn off the water in the event of an emergency. They are usually located near plumbing fixtures like toilets and sinks. They may even be located near major water lines coming into your home.
There are two distinct types of valves: main shutoff valves and fixture-specific shutoff valves. The main shutoff valves turn off all the water in the house. Fixture-specific shutoff valves turn off the water flowing to a specific plumbing fixture. Routinely check these valves to ensure they are functioning properly. Knowing where they are located can prevent water damage in the event of a plumbing emergency.
Look Out for Leaks
Small leaks can be annoying and frustrating. They can also indicate a larger overall problem. Over time, leaks waste gallons of water and can drive up your utility bill. They can also damage the structure of your home. For this reason, look for any visible leaks around water heaters, toilets, and sinks. Sudden changes in water pressure can signal a leak. You can sometimes fix leaks by tightening connections. However, if you have a major leak, you will need to contact a plumber.
Flush Only Toilet Paper
As previously mentioned, toilet paper is designed to be flushed down the toilet. However, you may be tempted to flush other things as well. Flushing anything besides toilet paper and human waste can cause a host of plumbing problems and serious blockages. Wipes labeled as flushable are usually not flushable. They are one of the main causes of clogs and should be avoided. Always make sure your family knows what to flush and what to place in the trash.
Check and Insulate Your Pipes
During winter, pipes can freeze and burst, so it is a good idea to check them for signs of damage or leaks before the holidays arrive. If you notice a problem early, it will be much easier to repair. If you are going away for the holidays, a burst pipe can cause a significant amount of damage if it is left unchecked.
For this reason, seek out any leaks, drips, or cracks. It’s also wise to check if your pipes are starting to rust. If you notice any of these issues, address them before they escalate. To prevent such issues, it may be a good idea to insulate your pipes. This is especially true for any pipes located in unheated areas of your home.
Don’t Pour Grease Down the Drain
Grease can easily cause blockages. During the holidays, you may find yourself cooking with butter, oil, and other types of grease. If you do, wipe up any grease you find near your kitchen sink. Also, avoid pouring oil down your drains. This can create many expensive plumbing problems. Always dispose of your grease properly because improper disposal can harm the environment as well as disrupting holiday cooking in your kitchen.
Use a Drain Cover to Catch Hair
If you intend to have guests over during the holidays, install drain covers in the bathrooms. Hair is one of the most common causes of blockages. Over time, hair can accumulate and stop up drains if it is not caught. Always dispose of hair in the trash.
Flush Your Water Heater
Throughout the year, you may not give your water heater a second thought. This is especially true if it provides hot water like it is supposed to. However, ignoring your water heater for the three seasons before winter can be a mistake. Over time, sediment caused by hard water can accumulate in your water heater. The sediment can turn into rust, which can end up in the water you cook with, bathe with, and drink.
To prevent this, have your water heater periodically drained. This will help remove the sediment. If you notice the water coming out of your faucets contains rust, you may need to buy a new water heater before the weather gets too cold. Running out of hot water during the holidays is never convenient.
Disconnect Outdoor Pipes
If you have any outdoor pipes, make sure they are disconnected. You can do this by loosening the hose and turning off the valve to any spigots. This will stop water from going through exterior lines, where it is more likely to freeze. It also reduces the risk of water remaining in your hoses and damaging your spigots. Always store your hoses inside so they don’t cause damage during the colder holiday months.
Keep Your Faucet Dripping in Subfreezing Weather
During the holidays, there will more than likely be days when the temperature drops below freezing. On these days, you will want to keep your faucet dripping. Before you go to bed, turn on your faucets with pipes running along the outside of your house. These pipes are the most likely to freeze. The constant drip will protect against burst pipes since it prevents the buildup of pressure.
Schedule Plumbing Service Today
Here at Southport Home Services, we can keep your plumbing in top-notch shape during the holidays. We offer a number of plumbing services to residents of Madison, WI and the surrounding area. Our professionals have been in business since 2005 and know how to help you with your plumbing problems this winter. We can also help you with heating, cooling, and indoor air quality.
Contact Southport Home Services today to learn more or make an appointment for service. When things go wrong quickly, you can rely on our emergency plumbing services!
