IS YOUR PLUMBING READY FOR HOLIDAY GUESTS?
Prepping Your Plumbing for the Season
The holidays are a time for gathering and spending time with the ones you love most. Opening up your home to guests can be exciting, but it can also be stressful. Soon, you’ll be prepping guest rooms, stocking up on extra snacks and supplies, and cleaning the home from floor to ceiling.
While you worry about getting everything done, your plumbers at Epic Plumbing are here to remind you that you might want to prepare your plumbing for the influx of guests this season as well.
Let’s get into how your plumbing could be affected this season and what you can do to get your pipes and fixtures ready!
Drains
Your drains will be experiencing a lot more use during this season, so it’s best to get them in good shape ahead of time to avoid a mid-Christmas clog.
Professional Drain Cleaning
A few weeks ahead of your guests arrival, give the Epic Plumbing team a call and schedule a drain cleaning. During this appointment, we’ll be able to clear any clogs or obstructions that might be affecting the efficiency of your pipes. You’ll be left with clean drains and pipes that will last you through the new year!
Drain Products
If you don’t have time to schedule a professional drain cleaning, you can take on the task yourself. We strongly recommend not reaching for the chemical drain cleaners you see on the grocery store shelf as they contain harmful chemicals which can damage your plumbing over time.
Instead, make sure you have plenty of baking soda and white vinegar in the pantry. Sprinkle the baking soda down the drain and allow it to sit for a few minutes before pouring a healthy amount of vinegar down as well. Let it sit again for a moment before flushing with hot water. This should get rid of small clogs and any lingering smells.
Another product we highly recommend is a drain guard. These can be placed over your drains to catch hair and large food particles. Simply empty the contents into the garbage and continue using.
Schedule Repairs
You likely don’t want to be dealing with a major leak while your guests are in town, so take care of any plumbing problems you have now. From minor issues like a slow flushing toilet, to a sink leak that’s giving you a headache, taking care of these problems now will put your mind at ease and allow you to focus on the reason for the season.
The Water Heater
With an increase of people in your home, your hot water usage is sure to go up. Scheduling a water heater flush ahead of time will give your heater the boost it needs to keep up. Additionally, try to encourage shorter showers and a 15-20 minute period between showers to allow the heater to catch up.
Stock Up on Supplies
We’ve all been stuck without toilet paper at some point in our lives, and it’s always worse when it’s while you’re a guest at someone’s house. Don’t put your guests through the stress and make sure you have plenty of toilet paper on hand. Let them know where the extra TP is stored ahead of time to avoid any embarrassing mishaps.
Here are a few additional products you could keep on hand to make your guests feel more comfortable:
“Flushable” Wipes - just remind your guests that these are in fact, not flushable!
Poo-Pourri - this spray will help cover up any less-than-ideal smells.
Soap, shampoo, conditioner - your guests may have forgotten their own.
Cotton balls, q-tips, and face wipes - always a nice touch.
Talk to Your Guests
Always remember to talk to your guests about your kitchen and bathroom plumbing! If you have a toilet that is particularly touchy, or a shower that can be tricky to understand, let them know. This will help avoid any issues and keep everything running smoothly throughout the season.
Plumbing Services this Season
When you’re in need of repairs this holiday season, give Epic Plumbing a call at (281) 815-2322!