The holiday season can be draining. Don’t let issues with your plumbing add to your holiday stress. Check out these tips on making sure your drains are holiday-ready.
1. Grind as you go!
Don’t wait until your drains are packed like a holiday turkey. Instead, use your garbage disposal while you’re prepping or cleaning up.
2. Shotgun showers can lead to cold water!
To avoid this, ask guests to wait 15 minutes between showers to give the drains time to clear.
3. Protect Your Sink
Encourage your kitchen helpers to take it easy. Allow grease on pans to solidify, then scrape it into a container or the trash before washing. This helps minimize grease from entering your kitchen drain.
4. Install a Sink Trap
Use a sink trap to create a barrier between your guests and your drain. Removable sink traps catch food waste that might accidentally be rinsed down, helping to prevent clogs.
5. Prevent Hair Clogs
Make sure your showers are equipped with drain screens or hair-catching tools to reduce the amount of hair that goes down the drain. This simple step can help prevent clogs.
6. Test Your Plumbing
To prevent holiday drain problems, check that your plumbing is ready for the extra demands. Small leaks and slow drains can worsen under pressure. Before the holiday rush, inspect your system. If you notice any slow drains, contact a professional for a thorough cleaning.
7. Provide Trash Cans
Make it easy for guests to dispose of items like cotton balls, sanitary products, and baby wipes by placing trash cans in every bathroom. This helps prevent clogs and keeps your plumbing running smoothly.
8. Monitor the outdoor temperature.
Freezing conditions and frozen pipes can disrupt holiday gatherings. Disconnect exterior water hoses and consider leaving faucets slightly open to keep water flowing and prevent pipes from freezing
9. Be prepared.
Now is the perfect time to upgrade your plunger. Keep one in each bathroom, so guests can quickly handle any issues and avoid an awkward conversation.
10 Auger on Blitzen?
No, it’s not a new reindeer. An auger is a handy tool for clearing clogs near the surface. Keep one nearby for those unexpected plumbing emergencies.
