With the arrival of the holiday season comes many additional guests. When you are gearing up to celebrate with your loved ones, you don’t want to be thinking about your plumbing. However, if you don’t prepare, you may deal with problems due to the additional load. Here is how to get your whole plumbing system ready for guests.
Kitchen Sink
Most households make cooking a center of their celebrations. Grease and food particles going down the drain can lead to an annoying clog. Make sure your drains are cleaned and inspected before guests arrive, and never put grease or cooking oil down your drains. Dispose of fats by pouring them into a spare container once cooled and throw them out. Be sure to use a screen to keep large particles from washing down the drain.
Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal will be working overtime during holiday cooking. Make sure you don’t put bones or vegetable peels down your disposal. If your garbage disposal is smelling less than pleasant, it is easy to clean. Run a few small ice cubes and some citrus pieces through your disposal. This will clean it and provide a pleasant smell.
Toilets
Your toilets will be seeing more use thanks to guests. Before guests arrive, make sure the toilets are flushing properly. If they aren’t, be sure to schedule a plumber to fix any problems early. Make sure your guests have a plunger nearby, and keep a wastebasket right by the toilet so that wipes and sanitary products don’t end up being flushed and clogging your toilets.
Hot Water
With more guests who need to clean up and more dishes to wash, you may require more hot water. First, make sure your water heater doesn’t need an inspection. There should be a date on the tank. If it has been over seven years since that date, call in a plumber to take a look. If you are worried you won’t have enough hot water for everyone, you can raise the temperature. This can help supply enough hot water for plenty of showers at the cost of a utility increase.
Hard Water Stains
Many homes struggle with hard water buildup. If you want to quickly clean it up before guests arrive, all you need is vinegar. Soak paper towels and wrap them around sink fixtures. Spray vinegar in other parts of the bathroom, like a shower door, to help break down the stains.
Contact the Professionals
If you need some help with your plumbing this holiday season, the team at Mountain Valley Plumbing and Heating is happy to help. Our plumbers can quickly fix any problems so that you can go back to your celebrations in no time. Call us today to make sure your home is ready for the holidays.