The holiday season highlights involve gathering with friends and family, preparing delicious feasts, and crafting lasting memories. However, nothing puts a damper on holiday cheer more quickly and completely than an unexpected plumbing emergency. Household plumbing systems face extra strain this time of year due to increased food preparation activity for holiday meals and more people in your home.
Here’s what you need to know about protecting your plumbing during the busiest time of the year and avoiding those unexpected holiday headaches.
Increased Demand on Pipes
Having family and friends over creates an additional strain on household plumbing. Each extra flush, shower, and sink use means more work for your pipes and drains.
Preventive Measures
A pre-holiday inspection by a licensed plumber is your best defense against overwhelmed plumbing during the holidays. A professional plumber can identify emerging issues such as leaks, clogs, or worn-out components and correct them before they become bigger problems.
Clogged Kitchen Drains
Preparing feasts for festive gatherings is one of the best parts of the season. However, it also means more food waste will go down the sink. Home cooks often accidentally put substances such as grease, fat, and fibrous vegetable scraps down the drain, not realizing that these have the potential to harden into blockages.
Preventive Measures
Be aware of what you put down the kitchen sink. Discard food waste and harmful substances in the household trash rather than putting them down the drain. A strainer in your sink will catch food particles and prevent them from entering your pipes and causing blockages. Don’t hesitate to remind kitchen helpers of these rules often.
Overworked Garbage Disposals
Peelings and other tough food scraps can combine to overwhelm your disposal during holiday meal preparation. Overloading it with rough materials or using it to dispose of non-food items can clog the unit and dull its blades, leading to decreased efficiency and unexpected breakdowns.
Preventive Measures
Feed small amounts of food waste slowly into the disposal to avoid overfilling it. Avoid items like bones, coffee grounds, and fibrous vegetables such as celery or asparagus. Be sure to run cold water while using the disposal to flush food particles through the system.
Frozen Pipes in Cold Weather
If you live in an area where winter temperatures reach below freezing, frozen pipes are a valid concern during the holiday season. When pipes freeze, the water inside them naturally expands, which can result in the pipe burning.
Preventive Measures
Disconnect and drain all outside hoses before the first freeze. Exposed pipes in areas such as a basement, attic, and crawl spaces should be wrapped in insulation. Heat tape is helpful in regions with consistent cold temperatures. On freezing nights, leave a trickle of water running in your faucet to keep water moving through the pipes and reduce the risk of freezing. If you’re leaving town during any part of the holiday, keep your indoor thermostat set to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent frozen pipes while you’re away.
Toilet Overuse and Blockages
An increase in bathroom use can lead to an overworked, malfunctioning toilet. Blockages are common during these times, and if your gathering involves children, they may try to flush napkins, wipes, small toys, or other items down the toilet.
Preventive Measures
You may plan on having many people at your holiday gathering. If so, clear signage may help keep guests mindful of best practices about what can and cannot be flushed when visiting someone’s home. Keep a plunger easily accessible just in case of mishaps, and consider having your plumbing inspected before the season, especially if you know that your toilet is susceptible to clogs. For huge gatherings, renting a portable toilet is worth considering to minimize the strain on your household facilities.
Hot Water Heater Strain
If you plan on having holiday guests staying with you, plan on extra showers, laundry, and dishwashing taking a toll on your water heater. Older or smaller units may struggle to keep up with the demand, leading to cold showers and, in worst-case scenarios, the breakdown of the unit.
Preventive Measures
Having your water heater inspected before your guests arrive helps ensure that it’ll be up to the job of meeting your holiday hot water needs.
Water Pressure Issues
Heavy usage also affects water pressure, especially when multiple appliances are using water simultaneously. Older or undersized pipes might not be able to handle the increased demand, resulting in uneven flow or even leaks.
Preventive Measures
If your water pressure is currently inconsistent, holiday activity will only make the situation worse. A skilled plumber can perform an assessment to identify potential issues such as undersized pipes or undetected clogs. Installing a water pressure regulator can help maintain a consistent water pressure, reducing the risk of leaks and ensuring a steady flow of water during peak usage times.
Poorly Maintained Septic Systems
If your property has a septic system, heavy holiday usage can quickly overload it—particularly if it hasn’t been pumped or maintained properly. Overburdened septic tanks can back up, leading to unpleasant odors or, worse, raw sewage seeping into your yard or home.
Preventive Measures
Septic tanks in average households should be pumped every three to five years, depending on the type and usage. It is recommended that you have your septic tank inspected and serviced before the onslaught of holiday activity.
Preventing Future Holiday Plumbing Emergencies
Once you understand the root cause of plumbing emergencies during the holiday season, you’ll be better positioned to take the necessary proactive steps to keep things running smoothly. The following strategies can help prevent unnecessary disruptions.
Schedule Regular Inspections
Regular inspections are a proactive measure to identify potential trouble spots before they escalate into emergencies. By avoiding any issues, you can ensure that your plumbing system is in top condition for the holiday season.
Educate Household Members
Understanding the basics of what can and can’t go down your drains and toilet is a key part of maintaining your plumbing system. Educating your family on these guidelines can help prevent unnecessary blockages and keep your plumbing running smoothly.
Keep Emergency Contact Information Handy
Having the contact information of a trusted local plumbing service handy helps ensure that you get timely assistance and minimizes damage.
Invest in Upgrades
If your plumbing system is older or experiencing more than a normal number of malfunctions, it could be time for upgrades.
Contact Honest Home Services LLC for More Information
With over 20 years of combined experience serving the residents of Flower Mound and surrounding communities, Honest Home Services LLC is proud to be guided by old-fashioned values. We are ready and able to help you with your household plumbing needs, including water heater services, and provide cooling, heating, and air quality services. That is installation, repairs, and maintenance services for residential, commercial, and new construction. Contact Honest Home Services LLC today to schedule an appointment or request a free quote.
