How to Avoid Plumbing Issues This Holiday Season
The holidays are a time for family, friends, and plenty of food. But if you're not careful, they can also be a time for plumbing problems. From running out of hot water to drain and toilet clogs, there are a number of issues that can ruin your holiday fun. But don't worry, we're here to help.
In this blog post, we'll give you seven tips on how to avoid plumbing issues this holiday season.
1. Don't overload your garbage disposal.
The holidays are a time for feasting, which means lots of leftovers. And while it's tempting to just grind up all those scraps in your garbage disposal, we suggest you resist the urge. Too much food can overload the motor and cause your disposal to break down. Instead, compost or throw away food scraps that won't fit in your garbage can.
2. Don't pour grease down the drain.
Another holiday cooking no-no is pouring grease down the drain. When hot grease cools, it can harden and clog your pipes. So instead of pouring it down the drain, let it solidify in a can or jar and then throw it away.
3. Don't use your toilet as a trashcan.
We all know that flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper is a recipe for disaster. But during the holidays, when there's more traffic in the bathroom, it's even more important to remind your guests not to flush anything other than the essentials. Otherwise, you might be dealing with a clogged toilet come Christmas morning.
And we know most families rely on plungers to release clogs from toilets, but sometimes those aren’t the best solution. In that case, you should always have a professional plumber ready to call in case your toilet stops up, overflows, or you run into another problem.
4. Don't overload your washing machine.
Laundry might be the last thing on your mind during the holidays, but if you have guests staying with you, chances are you'll be doing more laundry than usual. To avoid overloading your washing machine (and causing it to break down), make sure you're only washing full loads of laundry.
It’s also safe to note that fabric softeners can severely damage your washing machine and make it harder for water to pass through pipes due to buildup. Give the fabric softeners a break, especially if you plan to use them more than usual this holiday season.
5. Wait until your sink is full of dishes to run the dishwasher.
If you have a dishwasher, use it! Running your dishwasher with a whole load of dishes is more efficient than hand-washing them one by one as they pile up in the sink. Plus, if you wait until the sink is full before running the dishwasher, you risk overflowing the sink and flooding your kitchen floor.
6. Don't ignore drips and leaks.
A small drip might not seem like a big deal, but if left unchecked, it can waste gallons of water (not to mention increase your water bill). So if you see a drip, don't ignore it—have a plumber fix it as soon as possible, so it doesn't become a bigger problem later on down the line.
7. Check your water heater regularly
Last but not least, make sure you check your water heater regularly—especially if you have guests staying with you during the holidays . A water heater that's too old or too small might be unable to keep up with demand, leaving you and your guests without hot showers or baths. If this happens, we suggest waiting at least 15 minutes between showers, so your family doesn't run out of hot water quickly.
Quality Plumbing You Can Count On!
By following these simple tips, you can avoid plumbing problems this holiday season and focus on what really matters: spending time with loved ones and having a good time! If your plumbing begins to take a downward turn for some reason, our team at Griffin Mechanical, LLC is here to help! We can repair and maintain your plumbing in the future. Reach us at (615) 502-3030 to schedule an appointment.