There’s a lot to deal with during the holidays. Temperatures start to drop and droves of guests begin to come through your front door. With the cold weather and bustling activity, you may be concerned about your home’s systems. The best thing that you can do to prepare your plumbing system for the holiday season is to schedule an inspection. A professional plumber will be able to identify any issues with your system before the festivities begin. Continue reading for more ways to prepare your plumbing system for the holidays.
If you are ready to schedule a plumbing inspection, repair or maintenance, contact Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling and Heating at (469) 557-2703.
Preparing Your Plumbing System for the Holidays
The last thing that you want to deal with during the holidays is a clogged toilet, broken water heater or other plumbing issues. This season is stressful enough, you don’t need a plumbing problem to top it all of. Take a look at these four tasks you can do to prepare your plumbing system for the holidays:
1. Schedule a Plumbing Inspection
The easiest way to make sure that your plumbing is ready for the holiday season is to schedule an inspection. During an inspection, the plumber will check your water heater and exposed, internal piping to make sure everything is working as it should. They will also take a look at the water pressure and condition of your plumbing fixtures.
You can also request that the plumber completes a camera pipe inspection. During this inspection, the plumber will insert a camera attached to a cable into the pipe. This allows them to see the inside of your piping and check for any leaks, corrosion, tree root infiltration or other issues. You should schedule a plumbing inspection at least once a year, so why not schedule your yearly inspection for before the holidays?
2. Clean Shower Heads and Faucets
No one wants to be taking a shower only to look up and see a grimy shower head or faucet. Dirty faucets and shower heads can also cause low water pressure. To keep your plumbing fixtures in great condition, you give them a thorough cleaning every once in a while.
All you have to do is fill a plastic bag with vinegar and put the bag over your showerhead. Secure the bag with a string or clip so that the shower head is fully immersed in the vinegar. Leave it overnight and in the morning your shower head should be free of all scum and hard water deposits. You can also do this with any faucet in your home. Afterward, just wipe down with a wet cloth. This will leave your plumbing fixtures shiny and in excellent condition.
3. Protect Pipes from Freezing
Frozen pipes are one of the most frustrating things that can happen during the holidays. Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can protect your pipes against freezing using insulation. One of the most common forms of pipe insulation is foam sleeves or pipe wrap. You can buy these at any home improvement store.
The areas that you should insulate are any unheated parts of your home. This includes attics, garages, basements, closets and other areas with exposed, unheated piping. If you need help insulating your pipes, feel free to call your Red Oak plumbing company. They will be more than happy to help you install pipe insulation.
4. Prepare for Toilet Clogs
Typically, during the holidays, with so many guests over, your toilet gets used more often. This means that you may have to deal with clogs. Because of this, you want to make sure that you are ready to handle any clog that comes your way. The first thing you can do is make sure that there is a plunger in every bathroom.
It’s also a good idea to keep vinegar and baking soda on hand in the case of a clog that just can’t be solved with a plunger. All you have to do is pour a quarter cup of vinegar into the toilet, followed by a quarter cup of baking soda. Then, pour very hot water into the toilet. Make sure that it is not boiling otherwise it could crack the porcelain. Repeat this two to three times, but no more than three times. If the toilet is still clogged, be sure to call a plumber.
Plumbing Checklist for When You Are Traveling During the Holidays
Many Red Oak residents do long time travel during the holidays. While it’s easy to just pack up, lock the door and go, there are a few things you should do first. Here is a checklist of what to do with your plumbing before you leave:
- Test your sump pump by pouring water into the pump and making sure it turns on
- Check that all outdoor faucets and hoses are off
- Turn on pool pump or use other treatment to keep the pool clean
- Put a quarter cup of vinegar and a quarter cup of baking soda followed by very hot water into every drain
- Turn off sprinklers if you have low maintenance landscaping
- Turn off your water main line, if you feel comfortable doing so, as this will keep you from coming home to any plumbing issues
Schedule Red Oak Plumbing Today
Scheduling Red Oak plumbing maintenance is a great way to prepare for the holidays. If you are looking for a reliable plumbing company, then you need Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling and Heating. Our plumbers are highly qualified and have the knowledge needed to complete a thorough inspection and maintenance.
We provide all kinds of Red Oak plumbing services from repairs and inspections to replacements and installations. Whether you need emergency plumbing or a camera pipe inspection, our experienced team has got your back.
To schedule plumbing with our trustworthy Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling and Heating team, give us a call at (469) 557-2703 or contact us online.