As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to prepare your plumbing system for the added workload. The increased activity due to gatherings with family and friends puts added pressure on your plumbing, and any issues you experience during this time can disrupt the festivities. The last thing you want is a burst pipe to flood your home during a holiday party!

Fortunately, there are a few practices you can implement to protect your plumbing system from unwanted damage. You don’t have to be a plumbing expert to follow these tips and maintain a functioning system during the holiday season. If issues do occur, rest assured that expert plumbers like those at ProFlo can quickly restore your home.

Care for Your Toilets

As guests come and go, your toilets will be flushed more frequently. To prevent this increased use from damaging your plumbing system, remind any guests (or forgetful family members) to only flush toilet paper. Toilet paper is designed to break down quickly, which is why it is the only thing that should be flushed.

Unfortunately, other items are commonly flushed down the toilet, causing blockages, backups, and added pressure, which can damage pipes. Common mistakenly flushed items include feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, paper towels, cotton balls, and sanitary napkins. These items can cause clogs and overflows, requiring attention from local plumbers. Guarantee that no mistakes are made by hanging a sign reminding your guests that toilet paper is the only thing that should be flushed.

Protect Your Pipes

Colder temperatures mean greater risks for cracked or burst pipes. Temperatures below 32 degrees threaten the integrity of your pipes as the liquid in them freezes and expands, increasing pressure and risking plumbing leaks. You can prevent this by insulating exposed pipes and heating your home properly.

You can also use a couple of tricks to protect yourself from burst pipes. Keeping water trickling from your faucet and opening sink cabinets will improve air circulation, preventing pipes from growing too cold in the winter season. If your pipes burst, seek plumbing leak repair or pipe replacement services from local plumbers to get your home running smoothly.

Pay Attention to Your Drains

Holiday parties are known for their food, which means a lot of time spent in the kitchen and around the sink. In the chaos of cooking, it’s easy to forget what you’re putting down the drain, making clogged drains more likely. This leads to foul smells, backed-up sinks, and potential water leaks that require professional drain cleaning.

Avoid pouring fats, oils, and grease down your sink, as they can harden and create blockages. Put leftover grease in a jar, and dispose of it in the trash. Other no-go items include eggshells, bones, coffee grounds, potato peels, uncooked pasta noodles, and vegetable peels. These items risk burning out your disposal engine, leading to blockages.

Don’t Overwork Your Water Heater

Cold temperatures mean one thing: hot showers. Unfortunately, if you have a household full of guests taking hot showers, you’ll risk overworking your water heater. Older models especially may not be able to keep up with an increased workload. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your water heater while still enjoying warm showers.

Avoid running other appliances that use hot water while guests take showers, and check your water heater settings to ensure it is appropriately set up. Ask guests to wait 10 to 20 minutes between showers to give your water heater time to catch up. If the water heater fails, check the circuit breaker to see if that is the cause.

Sometimes, the only solution is water heater repair or replacement. It’s best to trust a professional plumbing company to ensure a thorough and lasting job. If you’re planning on replacing your water heater, we recommend doing this before the winter season.

Hire Professional Plumbing Services

An expert plumbing repair service can ensure your plumbing system is ready for cold weather and increased use. Hire a plumbing company to complete maintenance inspections before the winter season in order to catch potential issues and fortify your home against holiday demands. This foresight can save you money, time, and those pesky holiday headaches!

At ProFlo, we pride ourselves on our expert plumbing maintenance and repair. We can complete drain cleaning, pipe replacement, leak detection, and other support services. Even if you aren’t experiencing any issues at the moment, having a ProFlo professional inspect your plumbing system before your next holiday party will prevent a hectic holiday. Call us today at 951-694-1300 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.