Clogged Kitchen Drain
The holiday season is probably the last time you want to deal with a clogged kitchen drain, but unfortunately it’s also the most common time for this to happen. Kitchen sinks are pulling double duty this time of year, with big meals being cooked for large groups of guests. All of that cooking means that more food scraps, oils, and fats are likely to be accidentally washed down the sink, and all that extra use also means that any minor blockages already present might get worse. To keep your kitchen drain safer this season, make sure that you always use a drain strainer to catch scraps, and dispose of oils and fats in the garbage, not down the drain. If you have visitors using your kitchen, make sure they know to be mindful of what goes down the drain.
Not Enough Hot Water
If you have a lot of guests over, your hot water usage is going to increase significantly, and you may discover that you don’t have enough hot water for everyone. The only way to fully prevent this is to upgrade to a tankless water heater before the holiday season. Otherwise, your best bet is to be thoughtful about scheduling showers, laundry, and dishwashing. Stagger these activities, have some guests plan to shower in the morning and some in the evenings, and you’ll be less likely to get caught in a cold shower by surprise.
Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are especially common if you go away over the holidays, so water isn’t being run regularly in your home. When a cold snap hits and your pipes freeze, it can cause the pipes to leak or even burst, resulting in water damage and costly repairs. To prevent this, make sure that you properly insulate any exposed pipes in unheated areas, especially if you are planning on going away over the winter.
Clogged Toilets
Guests might not be as careful of what they flush down your toilet as you are. Because of guests occasionally flushing items like wipes, tampons, and other products that can cause blockages, holiday toilet clogs are, unfortunately, quite common. If you are worried about your toilet drain getting clogged up, let guests know to only flush toilet paper and waste. Make sure you have a good plunger at the ready in case a clog occurs.
If you need any plumbing repairs, call the trusted team at Impetus Plumbing & Heating. Our skilled and experienced plumbers are ready to help.