If you’re planning on having get-togethers with family and friends this holiday season, then your home’s plumbing system will probably be working overtime. With all the extra people in the house and big feasts being prepared, the potential for a plumbing mishap or emergency will rise significantly. So, to avoid any major inconveniences or expensive repairs, you should make sure your plumbing system is prepared for the holiday season.
1. Clean Your Drains
Since more people will probably be using your sinks and bathrooms during the holidays, it’s important that your home’s drains are nice and clean. Otherwise, the odds of one of them becoming clogged will be much higher. For one, food scraps can accumulate in the kitchen sink drain and cause obstructions. Additionally, if people are staying at your house for an extended period, the increase in shower and bathtub usage could cause those drains to become clogged as well. One easy way to clean your drains is by applying vinegar. The acidity will allow it to clear the organic material out, and after you let it sit for a few hours, you can simply wash it away with hot water.
2. Insulate Your Pipes
The holiday season is often accompanied by freezing temperatures. If your pipes aren’t properly protected, they could freeze and potentially burst when it gets cold enough outside. If you have people over at your house for holiday get-togethers, the last thing you’ll want is to have frozen or burst pipes to deal with. If they’re frozen, it could prevent you from having running water, which can be a major inconvenience if people are staying with you. And if a pipe bursts, you could have serious flooding in your home. Before the holidays arrive, take the time to insulate any exposed pipes in your house. You may also want to let your faucets drip warm water when the temperature drops below freezing.
3. Have Your Water Heater Inspected
If you haven’t had your water heater professionally inspected in a while, you’d be wise to have it taken care of before you start having people over for the holidays. After all, if friends and family are over at your house, you won’t want them to be without hot water. Plus, you’ll need plenty of hot water to wash all of those dishes. Ideally, you should have local plumbing professionals give your water heater a thorough inspection. They can flush the tank and check the system for any problems or warning signs of future issues.
Your Local Plumbing Experts
When you need reliable plumbing services, you can always count on us. We’ve been providing residents of the area with fast, reliable plumbing services for many years. Our team is fully licensed and insured, so you’ll know that you’re receiving dependable assistance. If you need drain cleaning, pipe repair, or any other plumbing service in the Redding area, give us a call at Steve Beaton Plumbing today.