The holidays should be an opportunity to make memories with your loved ones. The last thing you want to worry about as a homeowner is a plumbing disaster. Fortunately, there are numerous tips you can follow to avoid one. Let’s explore how to prevent holiday plumbing emergencies in Tucson, AZ.
Lack of Hot Water
When you host guests during the holidays, you need enough hot water to accommodate them and your own family. However, no hot water coming from the taps means your water heater needs attention. You may simply be out of hot water due to the increase in demand. To prevent this problem, turn your water heater thermostat up slightly. However, keep it below 120 degrees Fahrenheit for safety and efficiency.
Additionally, schedule routine maintenance for your water heater before your holiday guests arrive. Flushing the tank removes sediment buildup and lowers the risk of malfunctions. A tankless system benefits from a routine descaling.
Water Heater Leaks
Old hot water heater tanks are more prone to leaking due to corrosion and wear. This issue can also occur because of pressure buildup inside the tank. Mitigate the chances of a water heater leak by checking the tank for moisture around its base or any signs of rusting. Test its pressure relief valve to ensure the tank will not experience a buildup of excess pressure. You may want to install a drip pan to prevent water damage.
Frequently Clogged Toilets
Clogged toilets are both inconvenient and embarrassing, especially when you have guests in your home. Increased usage and people flushing non-flushable items down toilets increase the chances of a clog.
Remind your holiday visitors to only flush toilet paper down the toilet. Ensure they dispose of other items, such as sanitary products, dental floss, and food, in the garbage bin.
Keep a plunger handy in every bathroom in your Tucson home. Before the holidays arrive, inspect the toilets and check them for weak flushes. Hire one of our plumbers to snake your drains or repair any toilets that do not work properly.
Kitchen Sink Clogs
The sink in your kitchen can back up, preventing water from draining normally. If this occurs, chances are you have a clog somewhere in your sink drain. Debris like grease and food are the most common culprits for kitchen sink clogs. To prevent this problem, pour grease and oil into a grease container or an aluminum can. Dispose of these items in your garbage can. Prevent clogs by installing a mesh strainer over the kitchen sink drain to catch food so that it can be discarded.
Experiencing Frozen Pipes
Temperatures in Arizona can get cold enough to make pipe freezing a threat to homeowners. Frozen pipes increase the chance of water damage if they leak or burst. Reduce your risk by insulating exposed pipes in your home. When the temperature drops, allow faucets to drip a small amount of water. This prevents water from freezing inside your pipes.
Don’t forget to winterize your outdoor faucets. Unprotected hose bibs can lead to a faucet bursting during cold weather. Use a faucet cover or upgrade to frost-proof fixtures. Shut off and drain outdoor faucets once cold weather arrives.
Sewer Line Backup
A backed-up sewer line is an urgent plumbing emergency that poses a health risk. This situation often occurs because of tree root intrusion and people flushing incorrect items down drains. Before the holidays arrive, contact us to schedule a professional plumbing inspection. We can also perform preventive drain cleaning to keep your pipes clear throughout the holidays and beyond.
Dishwasher Issues and Leaks
A dishwasher can experience clogs that prevent it from working normally. This issue often occurs when dishes covered in debris end up in the dishwasher without being wiped down beforehand. Clean your dishwasher’s filter and check the drain hose for kinks. Consider using a dishwasher cleaning product once per month to remove a buildup of debris and mineral deposits. Complete this process prior to the start of the holidays.
Shower Drain Clogs
A buildup of hair in the shower drain can create a large clog that prevents water from draining properly. Lower the chances of this inconvenient issue by using a hair catcher over the drain. Contact our team before the holidays arrive to preventively clean your shower drains.
Laundry Room Water Damage
If you have more people staying in your home during the holidays, you need your washing machine to work efficiently and safely. An overloaded washer or one with a cracked water hose is more likely to leak, which can result in water damage.
Replace rubber hoses with stainless steel braided hoses. You should avoid running your washing machine while you are asleep or away from home. Check the drain in the laundry room for any debris like dust or dirt that can clog it.
Ice Maker Leak
An ice maker is a convenient machine to have in your kitchen during the holidays. However, it can quickly become a nuisance if it leaks. Many times, an ice maker leak occurs because of a cracked or loose water line. Avoid this issue by inspecting and tightening the hose connections before you host guests. Replace any brittle plastic lines with braided stainless-steel lines. Periodically flush your water lines to remove mineral deposits.
Malfunctioning Garbage Disposal
The garbage disposal in your kitchen needs to keep up with the extra demand you put on it during your holiday gatherings. Putting items like bones and peels in it will increase the chances of it jamming and not working normally. Also, do not put fibrous foods, such as celery or corn husks, down the garbage disposal. Run cold water before and after you use it to help flush away debris. Avoid overloading your disposal with many items at once.
Sudden Drop in Water Pressure
A sudden drop in water pressure is cause for alarm, especially when you are hosting guests. The most common explanation for this issue is the simultaneous use of plumbing fixtures like your home’s shower, dishwasher, washing machine, and outdoor faucet. There may also be a local water issue that is impacting all the homes in your area. It’s a good idea to check with your neighbors or water company to figure out what’s going on.
Mitigate the chance of a drop in water pressure occurring by staggering activities like showering and doing laundry. Also, clean showerheads and faucets with vinegar, which helps remove mineral deposits. These deposits can prevent the flow of a strong stream of water.
Experienced Arizona Plumbing Services
At Cal’s Plumbing, we have more than 75 years of experience providing reliable plumbing services to homeowners in the Tucson area. In addition to offering emergency plumbing services, we specialize in installations, leak detection, and drain cleaning. Our locally operated business has an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. Contact Cal’s Plumbing to prevent holiday plumbing emergencies in Tucson today.
