1. Inspect and Maintain Your Plumbing System Regularly

Regular plumbing inspection and maintenance can greatly reduce holiday hassles. Check pipes, faucets, and fixtures for leaks, corrosion, and damage. To avoid major complications, resolve minor concerns immediately. Consider scheduling a professional plumbing service to conduct a thorough inspection before the holiday season kicks in. A competent plumber can find hidden faults and offer solutions to keep your plumbing system functioning efficiently.

2. Be Mindful of What Goes Down the Drain

During the holidays, the kitchen cooks lavish dinners and hosts dinner parties. Food leftovers and cooking oils can clog drains, despite their appeal. Grease, lipids, coffee grounds, and fibrous items should not go down the drain. Instead, put cooking fat in a container and throw it away. Stop food from going down the drain using sink strainers.

3. Monitor Water Usage

Water usage rises during the holidays due to more people home. Avoid overusing water and overloading the plumbing system. Spread out washing and showers throughout the day to avoid pipe pressure. Try to get guests to take shorter showers and switch off faucets. To save water, buy water-efficient appliances and fixtures.

4. Protect Pipes from Freezing

Protect your pipes from freezing if you live in a cold climate over the holidays. Frozen pipes can explode and cause considerable water damage. Insulate pipes in unheated basements, attics, and crawl spaces. Close garage doors to keep heat and block cold air. Reduce pressure and prevent pipe freezing by slowly dripping faucets. To avoid frozen pipes, drain the water system and turn off the main water supply before leaving home.

5. Educate Guests on Proper Plumbing Practices

When entertaining Christmas guests, teach them plumbing basics. Let people know what they can and cannot flush. Wipes, sanitary products, cotton balls, and paper towels can block toilets and sewers, so remind guests not to flush them. Place a trash container in the bathroom for non-flushable objects.

6. Have a Plumber on Speed Dial

Plumbing issues can happen unexpectedly despite precautions. Having a trusted plumber’s number on your phone might save you time and stress in a crisis. Search “plumbers near me” and keep a list of trusted local plumbers. Choose a professional, insured plumber with good recommendations and 24/7 emergency services. Knowing aid is a phone call away might ease Christmas stress.

7. Avoid DIY Fixes

DIY plumbing repairs may be enticing to save money, but be careful. DIY solutions sometimes aggravate the issue and cause significant damage. Leave plumbing repairs to the pros to avoid more harm. Professional plumbers have the skills, experience, and tools to diagnose and fix plumbing issues the first time. DIY repairs might void warranties and insurance, so seek expert help.

8. Prepare for Guests

When hosting overnight guests during the holidays, ensure your plumbing system can handle it. Guest bathrooms should have toilet paper, hand soap, and a plunger for emergencies. To ensure guest shower comfort, check water pressure and temperature. Prevent inadvertent damage by providing explicit shower, toilet, and sink instructions.