The holiday season is a time for joy, family gatherings, and celebrations. However, it can also bring unique challenges for homeowners, especially when it comes to your plumbing system. With the increased kitchen activity and more guests using water and facilities, your plumbing can face unexpected strain. From clogged drains to overworked water heaters, being proactive can save you from holiday stress and costly repairs. Here’s how to prepare your home and prevent common plumbing disasters during the busiest time of the year.
1. Preventing Clogged Drains
Holiday cooking often leads to food scraps, grease, and other debris finding their way into your kitchen sink. These materials can build up over time, creating stubborn clogs that are inconvenient to deal with during family gatherings. To avoid this, proper disposal of waste is essential.
Instead of pouring fats, oils, and grease down the drain, collect them in a container and throw them away in the trash. These materials harden as they cool, leading to blockages in your pipes. Additionally, installing drain strainers can help catch food particles before they enter the drain.
If you have a garbage disposal, remember it’s not invincible. Avoid putting fibrous or starchy items like potato peels, rice, and pasta into the disposal as they can tangle or swell, leading to jams. Using your disposal responsibly and running water while it’s in use can go a long way in keeping it functional.
2. Managing Increased Water Heater Demand
With more people in the house, your water heater may struggle to keep up with demand. This can result in cold showers or insufficient hot water for cleaning and cooking tasks.
To mitigate this, try to space out showers by at least 10-15 minutes to allow your water heater to recover. If you know you’ll have a full house, consider temporarily increasing the water heater’s temperature setting, but be cautious not to exceed 120°F to prevent scalding risks. Regular maintenance, such as flushing out sediment buildup, can also improve efficiency and extend the life of your water heater.
3. Protecting Your Pipes from Freezing
Cold winter temperatures can cause your pipes to freeze, leading to burst pipes and significant water damage. This is especially true for pipes located in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, and attics.
To prevent this, insulate exposed pipes with foam sleeves or heat tape. Keeping your thermostat set to a consistent temperature, even when you’re away, can also help maintain warmth in your home and reduce the risk of freezing pipes.
4. Avoiding Garbage Disposal Mishaps
The holiday season means more cooking, which often leads to overloading your garbage disposal. This appliance is handy but not designed to handle everything.
To prevent malfunctions, avoid overloading the disposal with too much waste at once. Feed food scraps gradually while running cold water before, during, and after use to flush debris through the system. This simple habit can prevent jams and extend the life of your disposal.
5. Educating Guests on Plumbing Etiquette
Extra guests during the holidays can inadvertently contribute to plumbing issues if they’re not familiar with your home’s systems. A little guidance can go a long way.
Place trash bins in bathrooms to discourage guests from flushing non-flushable items. You can also let them know what shouldn’t go down the kitchen sink or garbage disposal to prevent clogs.
6. Scheduling Preventative Maintenance
Lastly, consider scheduling a plumbing inspection before the holidays. A professional can check for potential issues like leaks, weak pipes, or drain blockages that may worsen with increased usage. This small step can prevent inconvenient and costly breakdowns during your celebrations.
By taking these precautions, you can focus on enjoying the holiday season without the stress of unexpected plumbing problems. A little preparation now can save you time, money, and frustration, ensuring your holidays are merry and bright.
TLC Home Inspection is here to help you prepare for a worry-free holiday season. Schedule your inspection today to ensure your home is in top condition for the festivities ahead.
