The holiday season is a time for celebration, family gatherings, and festive meals. However, the increased activity in your home can place extra strain on your plumbing system, making it more susceptible to problems.
Below are some common holiday plumbing disasters and how to prevent them to keep your festivities running smoothly.
Clogged Drains
Holiday cooking and meal preparation often lead to kitchen sink clogs, as grease, food scraps, and cooking oil get washed down the drain. Additionally, bathroom drains may see more frequent use with extra guests, leading to blockages from hair, soap scum, and other debris.
Prevention Tips:
- Dispose of grease and oil by letting them cool and throwing them in the trash instead of pouring them down the sink.
- Use drain strainers in sinks to catch food particles and hair.
- Remind guests not to flush items like wipes or excessive toilet paper to prevent bathroom clogs.
Garbage Disposal Jams
With so much food preparation happening during the holidays, it’s easy to overload your garbage disposal. Items like bones, fibrous vegetables, and starchy foods (like potato peels) can jam the disposal, causing it to malfunction.
Prevention Tips:
- Avoid putting hard, fibrous, or starchy foods into the garbage disposal.
- Run cold water before, during, and after using the disposal to help flush food particles through.
- Dispose of large food scraps in the trash instead of the disposal.
Toilet Clogs
With more guests in your home, toilets can get clogged from increased usage. This is especially common when items other than toilet paper are flushed.
Prevention Tips:
- Keep a plunger handy in each bathroom for quick fixes.
- Politely remind guests of what should and should not be flushed.
- Check your toilets before guests arrive to ensure they are functioning properly and not constantly running.
Water Heater Overload
With guests showering and washing their hands, your water heater will be working overtime. If it’s older or hasn’t been serviced recently, it may struggle to keep up, leaving guests with cold showers.
Prevention Tips:
- Set the water heater temperature to a comfortable level, but avoid going above 120°F for safety.
- Consider scheduling a water heater inspection before the holidays to ensure it’s operating efficiently.
- Space out showers to give the water heater time to recover.
The holiday season should be a time for joy and relaxation, not dealing with plumbing disasters. Taking a few preventive measures can help you avoid these common issues and keep your home’s plumbing running smoothly for you and your guests.
If you encounter any plumbing issues this holiday season, don’t wait until they worsen! Reach out to Superior Integrated Services at (951)442-5399 to explore our leak detection and repair services. Our team is here to help ensure your home stays safe, comfortable, and worry-free during every season.
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