How to manage winter plumbing safety

Winter plumbing safety is all about planning ahead. Family gatherings, winter parties and holiday house guests can put a strain on your plumbing system.

Here are some ideas fromPlumb Tech to ensure that your plumbing is safe this holiday season.

What activities can affect winter plumbing safety?

Most families have some sort of large gathering during the winter holiday season. Whether it is an extended family dinner, a neighborhood party or holiday house guests, extra guests in your home can put a serious strain on your home’s plumbing system.

  • Holiday meals and busy guests can mean too much grease or food in your drain or disposal
  • Household guests mean extra showers, baths and toilet flushes
  • Grease, hair, soap and food particles can eventually clog up your pipes

How can I ensure winter plumbing safety when I have guests?

These simple steps can help minimize the risk of plumbing problems in your kitchen.

  • Wipe congealed grease from pots and toss in the garbage
  • Avoid pouring fat and cooking oil down the drain
  • Keep hard-to-grind food waste such as poultry skin, carrots, potato and banana peels and pumpkin pulp out of your disposal.
  • Run cold water for about 10- 15 seconds before and after using the garbage disposal
  • Turn on the disposal before adding food waste
  • Turn your dishwasher on at night or when water is not otherwise in use to make sure there is adequate hot water and water pressure when needed.

To protect your bathroom plumbing follow these easy tips.

  • Plan ahead to space showers at least 10 minutes apart so guests have plenty of hot water and good pressure.
  • Turn up the water heater slightly to retain hot water. Do not exceed 125⁰F!
  • Before guests arrive make sure your showerheads are free of mineral deposits which could affect adequate water flow

Why should I be concerned about winter plumbing safety?

The holidays are a time for visiting and relaxing with family and friends. Clogged or broken pipes, lack of hot water and low water pressure can be disruptive for you and your guests.  Many times these kinds of winter plumbing repairs can require an emergency visit by a professional plumber and even potentially having to shut your water off during the repair.

By following these simple tips you can minimize the extra stress on your home’s plumbing system, prevent costly, emergency repairs and enjoy your time with your holiday guests.