Getting Ready For Old Man Winter
Winter can put much strain on your plumbing system if you are not careful! From the cold temperatures to the increase of guests coming over, a lot can put some pressure on your plumbing. Don't worry, since there are numerous ways you can get ahead of the winter woes and get your plumbing ready for the worst winter can offer. Here are just four of the best plumbing projects you can start to prepare your home for this holiday season!
Garbage Disposal Cleaning
Cleaning your garbage disposal should be a regular part of your routine, but if you have been avoiding it for some time, well, now is an excellent time to start. Regularly cleaning your garbage disposal can help prevent any clogs and get rid of awful smells coming from your drains. The last thing you want during a holiday meal is the smell of last night's meal rearing its ugly, smelly head at the dinner table.
You can clean your garbage disposal by first powering off the unit, then pouring down a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down your drain. IF you notice extra grime around the blades of your garbage disposal, you can use a mix of salt and ice to help clean the blades. Pour the salt and ice down the drain and turn on the garbage disposal until the ice is broken down. Try cleaning around the splash guard and practicing garbage disposal care by not pouring down oils, starchy foods, and even hard materials like chicken bones down the drain. The best way to get rid of a clog is to prevent it from starting.
Getting Your Pipes Ready For Your Absence
If you know that you are not staying around your home for the holidays, whether to visit family or even avoid them, you need to make sure your plumbing gets the memo. Make sure that before you leave home for a few days or more to turn off your water. After turning off your water, drain any pipes, and that way, you can help avoid any significant frozen pipe issues. If your pipes still manage to freeze while you are gon, you can prevent a burst pipe by shutting off the water and draining the pipes. The last thing you want to come home to is an expensive repair bill.
Preparing For Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are a common problem over the winter, and we know how annoying dealing with a frozen pipe can be for homeowners. You can quickly get ahead of a frozen pipe by scheduling an appointment with one of our professionals to help check your pipes and install insulation. By insulating your pipes, you can avoid frozen pipe bursts. On top of the insulation, try also checking on your plumbing usage throughout the colder months. If you notice that you have been using your plumbing less, consider finding creative ways to make more use of your plumbing system. A lack of usage can also lead to frozen pipes.
Bathroom Care
Before guests come over, you should take the time to avoid nasty clogs by getting a drain snake to remove any potential clogs in your shower or sink. Whether it's hair or, well, let's just leave it at hair, the point being you don't want a clog when you need to use the bathroom. Installing a drain catch can help prevent large clogs that can be compacted with frozen pipes.
Also, keep an eye out for leaks from your toilet, sink, or even showerhead. Some leaks can be solved relatively quickly, while others can be the sign of underlying plumbing issues. When It comes to toilet leaks, you may have a problem with your toilet's seal, which will need our care to help make sure nothing else is wrong with the valves or fill tubes. The same can apply to your sink and showerhead. Get ahead of leaks by calling us today, and we can save you money on your water bill.
At Tritan Plumbing we know DIY can take up a lot of time, and that can be something of a luxury during the hectic holiday season. So give us a call at (815) 515-4062, and our team can help get your plumbing ready for the holidays!
