Having a plumbing checklist in place before guests arrive allows you to celebrate the holidays comfortably and safely. From putting sink strainers in place to scheduling last-minute drain cleaning, there are plenty of steps that you can take. With your kitchen and bathrooms getting a lot of use this holiday season, prepping will help minimize problems.
Pre‑Hosting Plumbing Prep
If you have guests staying in your home, you probably have a guest bathroom. Now is the perfect time to prep that bathroom for increased use. We suggest testing all the plumbing fixtures to ensure that they’re working properly. Pay close attention to the handles and faucets to verify there’s no water leaking from either one. It’s also a good idea to create a garbage disposal “do not put” list that you will display near the disposal. This should keep guests from putting things down the disposal that it can’t process.
Check the shut-off valves to guarantee they shut off the water. You don’t want to have a plumbing emergency and find out in that moment that your shut-off valves don’t even work. Be mindful of examining your lines for any drips or signs of a prospective leak. Even small leaks should be evaluated by one of our plumbers to prevent water waste in your home.
Additionally, flush seldom-used drains to ensure there’s water in their P-traps. Over time, that water can easily evaporate. When that happens, it can allow toxic sewage odors to back up into your guest bathroom. Just running the water for a few moments in these rarely used drains can go a long way in preventing this unfortunate problem.
What Not to Put in the Disposal
While your garbage disposal is great for handling a lot of kitchen waste, it can’t deal with everything. In fact, one of the biggest reasons homeowners need an emergency plumber in Springfield, MO is due to a clogged garbage disposal. It’s best to avoid putting grease, bones, fibrous peels, starches, or coffee grounds down your disposal.
Many of these items can get stuck in the disposal housing and, in some cases, can damage the disposal’s blades. Fats, grease, and oils will all solidify into a gel as they travel down your piping. This can lead to a clog in the drainpipe for your garbage disposal, which can cause a plumbing backup.
It’s a good idea to have an alternative location to put these substances when you’re cooking. This could be as simple as placing a can for grease near the stove. You can pour your hot grease into it, let it cool down to solidify, then dispose of it in the trash.
Sink & Drain Best Practices
To prevent kitchen sink clogs with all your holiday cooking activities, it’s best to install a strainer. This is usually a metal or plastic grate-like object that sits directly over the drain. This basic device is perfect for catching unwanted items before they end up going down your drainpipe and causing a clog.
In fact, strainers are a perfect solution for all the drains throughout your home, including your shower drains. Be sure to thoroughly clean them at least once a week to remove debris. Failing to do so could lead to slow-draining water and guests moving the strainer out of the way instead of appropriately using it.
Whenever you use your kitchen sink or garbage disposal, be sure to always end with a hot water flush. Just running hot water for a few moments will help any remaining food waste travel down into your sewer line. Encourage guests to scrape plates into the trash first to minimize the material that can get into your piping.
It can be helpful to watch your drains and ensure that they’re working properly. If you notice that a drain is slower than normal, it’s a key sign of a lingering clog. By catching these issues early, you can have one of our professionals address them before a major problem occurs.
One service you may want to consider getting in the fall is drain cleaning. This is where our plumbers blast high-pressure water down your drain and sewer lines. This removes any stuck-on debris from the inside of your lines. Hydro jetting service can go a long way in greatly minimizing your risk of experiencing a plumbing backup during the holiday season.
Guest Bathroom Etiquette & Signs of Trouble
One of the best guest bathroom plumbing tips is to provide easily accessible trash bins. This gives your guests an easy place to dispose of items like wipes or feminine hygiene products that may otherwise go down your toilet. Consider educating your guests on safe bathroom etiquette or strategically placing instructional signs.
Always be mindful of anything out of the norm, like gurgling toilets or slow sink drains. These can all indicate a clog that will require prompt professional intervention. You never want to ignore these issues, as doing so could lead to a major plumbing issue in the near future.
DIY Quick Fixes vs. Calling a Pro
When you experience a plumbing problem at your home, your first instinct may be to try to fix it. There are some key things you can safely do as a homeowner to fix common problems. However, there are other situations where it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
For instance, a clogged toilet can usually be resolved with a plunger. It is important to use the right type of plunger to get the job done correctly. Conversely, problems in your kitchen drain typically require professional help. Without the proper training and tools, you run the risk of creating a more serious issue that can bring your holiday celebration to a halt. Anything beyond plunging or mild, routine maintenance is better left to a professional plumber.
When you have a clog that you can’t remove, it’s best to call us for prompt repair services. We can use a specialized hydro jetting tool to bust up the clog and remove it from your line. If you experience other plumbing issues like a water leak, a water heater malfunction, or even discolored water, it’s best to call us for professional assistance. We recommend having our number on hand so that you can call promptly whenever you experience a major plumbing malfunction during the upcoming holiday season.
Next Steps
All Klear is a trusted local plumbing company that offers 24/7 emergency repair services for all our valued customers. Our locally owned and operated business has been serving the community since 2006 and has a wealth of industry experience. Whether you need drain cleaning or help with your garbage disposal, you can count on our fully licensed plumbers. Call All Klear today to get your holiday plumbing checklist in Springfield taken care of the right way.
