How to Keep the Plumbing Functioning During the Holidays
While having everyone in the same place for the holidays is nice, it puts unseen stress on your home, especially in drains and water lines. While you cannot expect people to avoid using your home as intended, there are a few guidelines to follow to avoid major plumbing problems as we finish the year.
It’s ultimately your responsibility to address issues, but don’t be afraid to remind your guests how to respect your home.
Prevent Clogs
Food and holidays go hand in hand, but it’s best to leave the drain out of this equation. Even if you have a state-of-the-art garbage disposal, putting as much waste as possible in the trash minimizes the risk of kitchen sink clogs.
Common culprits include:
- Bones
- Fruit pits
- Grease
- Pasta
- Fibrous vegetables
On that note, remind your house guests to remember what they put down your toilet drains. Only use as much toilet paper as is needed, and do NOT trust the labeling on “flushable” wipes. If your guests include small children, kindly remind your parents to keep an eye on them and what they might try to send on a journey down the drain.
These clogs can disrupt holiday plans and cause more serious issues, such as leaks, burst pipes, backups, and more. Calling emergency plumbing services is better than ignoring a potential problem.
Plumbing Maintenance
If you’re the default holiday host, hiring professional help for plumbing maintenance and pre-hosting inspection may pay off.
A trusted professional has access to more efficient drain cleaning tools and experience, limiting the chance of show-stopping problems when the family flies in. They can also pinpoint problems before they arise, offering solutions that cost less than emergency repairs and saving you from stress and embarrassment.
Many established plumbing companies, like Pride Plumbing, offer membership plans that include an annual inspection, discounts on repairs, and priority servicing without service fees.
Water Heater Maintenance
Keeping the water running is half the battle; you must keep it warm (or hot, depending on guest preference). Water heaters experience much stress around the holidays, from more frequent dishwashing to colder weather and back-to-back shower schedules.
Routine water heater maintenance keeps the system reliable. It involves visual inspections every few months and professional inspections about once a year.
Beyond that, try to spread out hot water usage throughout the day. Give the water heater a 20 to 30-minute break between showers to recoup, ensure the next guest has enough hot water, and avoid running the dishwasher or washing machine simultaneously.
This alleviates the stress on the water heater at any given time, reducing the chance that it spontaneously fails when you have a house full of guests.
About Pride Plumbing
Serving Mt. Gilead residents since 1965 means Pride Plumbing is no stranger to holiday plumbing emergencies. Their commitment to providing the best service means they do whatever it takes, from providing 24/7 live help to upfront pricing and fast turnarounds to ensure the season stays bright for you and yours. Prevent unfortunate emergencies and holiday-proof your plumbing today!
