205-655-2396 The holiday season brings more activity at home, which can put extra strain on your plumbing system. Increased water use, colder temperatures, and houseguests all contribute to a higher risk of plumbing problems. Knowing why issues are more common during the holidays can help you prevent disruptions before they happen.
Why Plumbing Issues Peak During the Holidays
Plumbing problems in Birmingham, Hoover, and Trussville can happen at any point during the year. However, they tend to peak during the holiday season for several reasons.
A primary cause is the increased water usage in the kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom, especially if you entertain often. You may also have guests stay at your house for extended periods or have children home from college.
Although increased water usage can impact newer pipes, it primarily affects older ones. Pipes that are decades old are more vulnerable to problems, such as cracks and leaks. This could lead to the need for repairs or, in the case of severe damage, repiping in one or more areas.
Another major reason for problems is that guests may improperly dispose of items down drains, including in the toilet. For example, they may flush “flushable” wipes instead of putting them in the garbage can. This could cause clogs, overflows, and various other issues.
Holiday hosting also increases demand on water heaters. Showers, laundry loads, and dishwashing happens more frequently, putting added strain on the system.
Simple Ways to Prevent Holiday Plumbing Problems
Scheduling a professional plumbing inspection during the fall is one of the best ways to prevent holiday plumbing issues. Our team can perform a thorough check of your system, including looking for cracks, clogs, and other problems. We inspect various areas of your home, including your kitchen, bathrooms, sump pump, garbage disposal, and water heater.
Drain cleaning isn’t part of the standard appointment. However, you can schedule both drain cleaning and the annual inspection simultaneously. Drain cleaning is a great option for getting your pipes in their best possible condition before the holidays. For example, we can perform hydro jetting, which involves blasting high-pressure water through your pipes. This eliminates existing clogs and removes built-up gunk from the interior pipe walls. The solution prevents multiple potential issues, such as pest infestations and foul odors.
In between professional appointments, conducting regular self-inspections of your plumbing system is crucial. This allows you to notice when something is wrong with one or more areas of your system. For example, if you spot your water heater leaking, you must contact us immediately. Our team will assess the situation and determine if you need a water heater repair or replacement. Acting promptly helps prevent problems from worsening.
Before the holidays, homeowners should also check that their water heater is set correctly and large enough to meet increased household demand. This ensures everyone can bathe and clean comfortably without the chance of scalding injury or running out of hot water prematurely.
Additionally, it’s essential to be mindful of what goes down the sink, toilet, and shower drains. Items that should never go down drains include “flushable” wipes, grease, pet kibble, vegetable chunks, feminine hygiene products, and coffee grounds. These items are some of the many that can cause clogs.
What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency
No homeowner wants to deal with a plumbing emergency. However, it’ll likely happen at some point. Being prepared is key.
Make sure to learn where your shut-off water valves are. This includes your main shut-off valve and individual ones. For example, you’ll typically find the one for your bathroom sink underneath it near the P-trap. Knowing where the valves are allows you to shut the water off quickly if there’s an emergency.
Never attempt to fix plumbing issues on your own. This could worsen the problem, resulting in costly repairs or a replacement.
Keep our number accessible. We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services, making it easy to get fast help when you need us most.
Wilbur’s Keeps Birmingham Homes Holiday-Ready
Don’t let plumbing emergencies ruin what’s supposed to be one of the best times of the year. Taking preventative measures is crucial, but so is preparing in case problems occur.
Wilbur’s Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing is here to help. We provide a fast response for local plumbing emergencies. This reduces potential damage to your home and its plumbing system. Additionally, it can help decrease your stress and give you peace of mind knowing you have a team ready to respond quickly. Our trusted plumbers serve the entire Birmingham metro area.
Should you run into trouble or just want to make sure your home can brave the winter weather, give us a call or contact us today to schedule services.
