5 Important Plumbing Tips You Should Know During The Holidays
5 Important Plumbing Tips You Should Know During The Holidays
Winter is a busy time for holidays, so the last thing you will need is for the festivities to be spoiled by problems with your home’s plumbing system. To avoid those problems and avoid a costly plumber callout, here are five important holiday plumbing tips.
Watch What You Pour Down Your Drain
If there is one plumbing disaster that is likely to spoil your winter holiday it will be a problem with your drainage, and one thing that will almost guarantee that your drain will not be functioning properly will be something that you poured down it. Do not be tempted to pour liquid fats or even cooking oil down the drain as they are very likely to solidify and cause a blockage.
Utilize Your Garbage Disposal Properly
Your garbage disposal is a very useful tool provided you use it properly. This means not putting materials down it which the unit will find difficult to grind. This includes the likes of skin from poultry and peel from various fruits, vegetables, egg shells, and especially RICE. Anything that is not able to be ground properly will very likely cause a blockage.
Ensure Enough Hot Water And Proper Pressure
Much of the hot water used at home is in the bathroom, with members of the family taking showers or soaking in the bathtub. The best way to ensure there is enough hot water for all, and that it does not run out when most needed, is by spacing out the times people shower or bathe. This will give the hot water tank enough time to heat up between uses.
If water pressure while taking a shower is weak this could be because of mineral deposits in the shower head. A simple solution is to tie a plastic bag filled with vinegar over the shower head. Leave it overnight and scrub off those mineral deposits with an old toothbrush the next morning.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
You can prevent pipes becoming frozen by fitting them with insulation, either in sleeve form or wrapping. You should also prevent faucets dripping during freezing weather. New piping should be installed, where possible, in places which are already insulated or heated. Another good idea when burying pipes under the ground is to ensure they are installed below the frost line.
Identify And Repair Broken Pipes
Should you be unfortunate enough to suffer broken pipes during the winter holiday season, the first thing to do is turn off the water at the mainline. You can identify the broken pipes by checking out your home’s water pipe layout. Having discovered where the problem is, the damaged pipe can be removed and the replacement piping wrapped with insulation.
If your home and plumbing system has any age to it 5 years or greater it is a good idea to have the plumbing inspected by a licensed and bonded plumber. Call us today for a free inspection of your homes plumbing.
