As wonderful as the holiday season can be, it can also get pretty crazy at times, especially if you’re hosting gatherings. Between all the extra cooking, guests using your bathrooms, and just general chaos, your poor plumbing system takes a beating. And if you live somewhere like Western New York with bitterly cold winters, that’s just another plumbing problem waiting to happen with frozen pipes.
No one wants to be dealing with an overflowing toilet or icy water lines when they’re supposed to be relaxing with family. That’s why a little preventative plumbing maintenance before and during the holidays is so crucial. This guide will cover the most common seasonal plumbing issues and give you easy tips to avoid them.
From protecting pipes from the deep freeze to avoiding drain clogs from all that extra food prep, you’ll learn simple DIY tricks to keep things flowing smoothly. We’ll also explain when it’s time to call in a professional plumber before a small problem becomes a disastrous (and expensive) plumbing emergency that ruins the holiday cheer.
Getting ready for all those extra houseguests and big meals doesn’t have to be stressful. With some basic plumbing prep, you can focus on what really matters this time of year – loved ones, good food, and making memories. No plunger necessary!
Common Plumbing Problems During the Holidays
With all the extra cooking, cleaning, and hosting happening over the holidays, your home’s plumbing is going to be put to the test. Here are some of the seasonal plumbing woes you’ll want to watch out for:
Clogged Drains
When you’ve got a full house, those kitchen and bathroom sinks are getting a real workout. All that food prep means more greasy, starchy scraps potentially going down the drain and congealing into a nasty clog. And with extra guests, showers and baths are backing up hair and soap scum buildup faster than usual too.
Garbage Disposal Overload
Speaking of food waste, your garbage disposal can also get overwhelmed during the holidays. Too many people trying to jam fibrous veggie peels, bones, and other no-no items down there is just asking for a jammed up or busted disposal unit.
Toilet Backups
When you’ve got a constant stream of houseguests doing their business, those poor toilets can only handle so much before they back up in protest. Clogged pipes are bad enough, but an overflowing toilet is a whole new level of nasty you don’t want to deal with.
Frozen Pipes
If you live in a cold climate like Western New York, frozen pipes are a very real threat once winter hits. As temperatures drop, any exposed plumbing in uninsulated areas like basements, attics or garages is at risk of freezing solid. Those ice blockages can then burst pipes once the water thaws, flooding your home.
Water Heater Strain
With all those extra long showers to get glammed up for parties and a mountain of dish-washing after big meals, your water heater is going to be pushed to its limits. An old, failing unit may struggle to keep up with the increased demand for hot water. Then you’re stuck with lukewarm showers and washing up in cold water – not exactly a holiday treat.
The last thing you need over the holidays is an emergency plumbing call. But knowing where problems can crop up will help you take steps to avoid them before that preventable pipe headache ruins all the fun.
Preventative Measures for Holiday Plumbing Issues
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to avoiding disastrous plumbing fails over the holidays.
Keep Drains Clear
First up, make sure your drains are prepped for the onslaught of extra hair, food scraps and gunk heading their way. Use drain strainers or catchers over all your sinks to catch that debris before it goes down the pipes.
And whatever you do, don’t pour bacon grease or cooking oils straight down the drain – that’s just asking for a clogged kitchen nightmare. Let it cool and toss it in the trash instead.
Proper Garbage Disposal Use
While we’re on the subject of food waste, show your garbage disposal some love too. Remind family to avoid stuffing it with problem items like fibrous veggie peels, bones, coffee grounds or greasy leftovers that can easily jam it up. Always run cold water before and after using the disposal to flush everything down smoothly.
Preventing Toilet Clogs
You know that feeling when the toilet just won’t flush? Yeah, avoid that this year by keeping a plunger at the ready in every bathroom. It’s also a good idea to gently remind guests what can and can’t be flushed. Things like wet wipes, feminine products and excessive toilet paper can quickly clog up the pipes.
Protecting Pipes from Freezing
Frozen pipes are a real threat for us Western New Yorkers once winter hits. Make sure any exposed plumbing in unheated areas like basements, garages or attics is properly insulated. On brutally cold nights, you can also let faucets drip slightly to keep water flowing and open up cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
Reduce Water Heater Strain
With tons of extra showers and dishwashing cycles, your water heater is going to be pushed to its limits. Consider lowering the temperature a bit to prevent overheating while still providing enough hot water. You can also try staggering hot water usage by asking guests to space out showers and avoid running the dishwasher and washing machine at the same time.
A little plumbing prep work goes a long way towards keeping your holiday season free of any nasty drainage disasters or frozen pipe emergencies. Tackle these preventative tips and you can actually relax and enjoy the festivities!
Preparing Your Plumbing for Holiday Guests
With family and friends soon descending on your home, now’s the time to get your plumbing system in tip-top shape. Here’s how to get plumbing-ready for those holiday guests:
Conduct a Pre-Holiday Plumbing Inspection
Don’t wait until pipes are spewing water to realize you’ve got a problem. Do a quick walk-through checking all faucets, toilets, and visible pipes for any leaks. Make sure water pressure seems sufficient when multiple fixtures are running at once. You’ll also want to give all your drains and the garbage disposal a good cleaning with a baking soda and vinegar flush to clear out gunk.
Upgrade or Repair Your Plumbing System
If you frequently host large gatherings, it may be time to consider upgrading that tiny water heater to a larger model. Nobody wants to run out of hot water mid-shower with a line of guests waiting. Older toilets that frequently clog or struggle to flush can also become a headache with extra use. Replace or repair them before guests arrive.
Stock Bathrooms with Essentials
Make sure every bathroom is stocked and ready for guests. Having a plunger and basic drain cleaning products on hand allows you to quickly deal with minor clogs yourself. Place small trash cans in each too and kindly ask guests to dispose of things like feminine products there rather than flushing them. A few easy preventative measures go a long way!
With some basic plumbing prep work out of the way, you can feel confident welcoming holiday visitors without worrying about plumbing woes raining on your parade. Take care of your pipes now so you can actually enjoy the company later!
How to Handle Plumbing Emergencies During the Holidays
Here’s how to tackle some common holiday plumbing emergencies:
Addressing Clogged Drains or Toilets
When you notice a slow drain or a toilet backing up, don’t wait. Instead, get to work with a plunger. You can usually dislodge simple clogs by vigorously plunging up and down. For sink drains, you can also try the baking soda and vinegar volcano trick – that fizzy reaction may just break up the clog.
Dealing with Frozen Pipes
If you notice a lack of water flow or frost on visible pipes, try thawing them out by using a hairdryer or space heater to slowly warm and defrost the frozen section. Just avoid any open flames which could damage pipes. If the pipe bursts or shows serious damage, shut off the main water supply immediately and call a plumber.
Hot Water Shortage
An unexpected hot water shortage is the last thing you need with a full house of guests waiting to shower. If you’ve got a traditional tank water heater, you can try briefly shutting it off for a while to allow it to reset and heat back up. You can try spacing out showers and dishwashing cycles while waiting for the water to reheat. You may also want to check for sediment buildup that needs flushing to get that water heater running efficiently again.
With some quick action and temporary fixes, you may just be able to get ahead of minor plumbing hiccups before they ruin the holiday fun. But know when to wave the white flag and call in professional reinforcements too. A real plumbing emergency is no DIY job!
Long-Term Plumbing Maintenance Tips
While handling the occasional plumbing snafu is inevitable, there are some smart long-term maintenance steps you can take to prevent major headaches down the road. A little proactive plumbing care goes a long way!
Winterizing Your Home’s Plumbing System
As Western New Yorkers know all too well, frozen pipes are a real threat once winter hits. Take some precautions like disconnecting any outdoor hoses and shutting off exterior faucets to guard against frozen lines. You’ll also want to drain any water from sprinkler systems, pools or other plumbing that won’t be used until spring.
Regular Drain and Sewer Cleaning
They’re out of sight, out of mind…until they back up in a gross way. Having your drains and sewer lines professionally cleaned yearly can stop clogs before they happen by removing built-up gunk, hair, grease and tree roots. Older homes especially can benefit from routine sewer scope inspections to catch any potential blockages early.
Maintaining Your Water Heater
From holiday dishwashing marathons to a parade of guests hogging the shower, your water heater works overtime this time of year. Do it a favor by flushing out built-up sediment at least once a year to keep it running efficiently. Adding some insulation can also help your water heater recover faster between all those hot water demands.
With a commitment to basic preventative plumbing maintenance year-round, you can avoid those ghastly holiday plumbing emergencies.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
As handy as those DIY plumbing tricks may be, some situations are just too much for a homeowner to handle alone. Here’s when it’s time to dial up your local plumber:
Major Clogs or Backups
If you’ve plunged until you’re blue in the face and still can’t seem to clear that clogged drain or toilet, don’t keep fighting a losing battle. That likely means the clog is deep in the pipes where you can’t reach. A professional plumber has the snake tools and expertise to locate and demolish even the gnarliest of clogs. Many companies also offer 24/7 emergency services during the holidays when those backups always seem to happen.
Frozen or Burst Pipes
Trying to thaw frozen pipes yourself with space heaters or hair dryers is fine…to a point. If you just can’t seem to get the water flowing again, it’s best to call a plumber before that ice blockage cracks the pipe. And if you ever spot a burst or severely damaged pipe, shut off the water supply and get on the phone immediately! Letting that leak continue can lead to expensive water damage fast.
Water Heater Malfunctions
From sudden cold showers to puddles around the tank, some water heater issues are simply beyond basic flushing and resetting. If you’ve tried all the DIY fixes but still can’t get that stubborn water heater firing on all cylinders, it’s likely time for a professional inspection.
Don’t Let Plumbing Problems Ruin Your Holiday Fun
The holidays are stressful enough without adding plumbing disasters to the mix. With all those extra guests and big meals, your pipes and drains are working overtime. Do yourself a favor and take some preventative steps to avoid clogs, leaks or other nasty plumbing surprises.
From snaking drains to insulating pipes, there are plenty of DIY tricks to try first. But know when to wave the white flag and call the professionals at Reimer before that small leak turns into a total nightmare flood. Our 24/7 emergency plumbers will get you back on track fast so you can actually enjoy the festivities! Dial (716) 272-2371 now.