The holidays are a magical time of year characterized by family togetherness, good food, and cherished memories. But the holidays can get hectic fast when unexpected plumbing problems crash the party.

With the winter season comes added responsibility for homeowners to be proactive about protecting their plumbing equipment. In this blog, we’ll share some tips that every homeowner should know for keeping their plumbing system in top working condition through the holiday season.

1. Be Careful With Your Garbage Disposal

Whether it’s a Thanksgiving turkey or a Christmas goose, preparing holiday meals can get messy and overwhelming. While it may be tempting to simply send your scraps down your garbage disposal, it’s important to remember to practice responsible garbage disposal usage despite the cooking chaos.

To keep your system from clogging, avoid sending the following items down your garbage disposal this season:

• Animal bones
• Coffee grounds
• Eggshells
• Fruit pits and seeds
• Grease and oil
• Non-food items and paper products
• Pasta, rice, potatoes, and other starchy foods
• Stringy vegetables and fibrous foods

2. Dispose of Grease Properly

In addition to keeping grease and oil out of your garbage disposal, it’s important not to send these items down your drains as you clean up your culinary space. Grease and oil can harden within your pipes when cooled, leading to severe system blockages that require professional drain cleaning and clog removal to eliminate.

To dispose of grease properly, follow the steps below:

1. First, allow the grease and oil to fully cool to room temperature.
2. Once fully cooled, pour the grease into a sealable container with a tight lid, such as a jar or Tupperware container.
3. Keep the container in a refrigerator until the grease or oil solidifies.
4. After it’s solidified, toss the container into your trash bin, ensuring it is securely closed to prevent leakage.

3. Make Sure Your Water Heater Is Ready for Guests

Planning on hosting overnight guests for the holidays? All those extra people in your home can place an added strain on your water heater. Ensure your system is properly prepared to accommodate hot water demand. Here are a few ways you can help ensure your system survives the holiday season:

• Raise the temperature: Adjust your water heater’s thermostat to a higher temperature to ensure there’s enough hot water to go around.
• Flush the tank: Before guests arrive, flush the excess sediment out of your system to avoid reduced efficiency.
• Insulate your pipes: Ensuring your hot water pipes are well-insulated can minimize heat loss as it travels to your plumbing fixtures.
• Schedule routine maintenance: Water heaters should receive a thorough tune-up annually, so plan to schedule yours before your guests arrive.
• Upgrade to Tankless: Consider replacing your standard tank unit with a tankless water heater for unlimited hot water on demand.

4. Prevent Frozen Pipes

While the holidays might make for some warm and fuzzy memories, the same can’t be said for the outdoor temperature. With the holiday season comes cold, icy conditions that can freeze your pipes in a flash. Frozen pipes can have a devastating impact on your celebrations, with the potential to burst and cause significant water damage to your property.

Don’t let frozen pipes disrupt your holiday cheer. Use the tips below to prevent this common plumbing problem this winter:

• Insulate exposed pipes with heat tape or pipe insulation
• Seal visible gaps or cracks in your walls, foundation, and around pipes
• Ensure your thermostat is set to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit
• Keep cabinet doors open in colder areas so warm air circulates around pipes
• On extremely cold nights, let faucets drip slowly to reduce the risk of freezing

5. Keep Toilets From Clogging

As your friends and family visit, ensure your guests understand what’s safe to flush down the toilet versus what items are best saved for the trash. Here’s a quick list of common culprits that can cause your toilet to clog:

• Baby wipes and wet wipes
• Cotton balls and swabs
• Dental floss
• Feminine hygiene products
• Medications
• Paper towels and tissues

Choose Korte Does It All for Plumbing Services in Fort Wayne, IN

Sometimes, even the most prepared homeowners may fall victim to the unexpected. When this happens, it’s important to have a trusted team to provide the fast, effective repairs you need to regain your holiday cheer in no time. At Korte Does It All, we offer 24/7 emergency service and same-day financing approval to resolve your plumbing problems as quickly and affordably as possible.

Don’t let unwanted plumbing problems rob you of a happy holiday season. Call Korte Does It All at (260) 493-2596 today to request plumbing repair from our expert team!