Nothing puts a damper on decking the halls like a clogged toilet or having to interrupt your festivities to call for a drain cleaning. Before family and friends arrive at your home to celebrate this holiday season, follow the five plumbing maintenance tips below. They’ll save you from having to call a plumber when you should be having a good time.            

How to Make Your Plumbing Holiday-Ready

1. Check the Garbage Disposal

Holidays usually involve lots of food preparation, which means you’ll want your garbage disposal in good working order. To sharpen the blades, drop a handful of ice cubes into the disposal, run the cold tap, turn on the disposal, and let it chop up the ice. Even if your garbage disposal works like a dream, don’t put items such as bones, egg shells, fruit pits, coffee grounds, and grease down the disposal, as they’ll cause clogs. 

2. Fix Sluggish Drains

To clear a slow drain, pour some white vinegar down and wait a few hours. Then flush the drain with hot water. For really stubborn clogs, sprinkle baking soda into the drain before adding vinegar. Allow the mixture to bubble for a few hours, and then run hot water down the drain. If it’s still draining slowly, you may need to have a plumber come snake the drain. Avoid chemical cleaners, as these harm your pipe over time. 

3. Unclog Toilets

To prevent a clogged toilet in the first place, don’t flush objects such as paper towels, feminine products, and baby wipes – your plumber will thank you. Make sure a waste basket is readily accessible in the bathroom so your guests can properly dispose of these items. If a toilet doesn’t flush properly, don’t try to flush it again, as it will probably overflow. Use a plunger instead. Keep one handy in the bathroom over the holidays in case of an emergency.

4. Inspect Fixtures for Corrosion

Before holiday revelers arrive, check all shower, tub, and sink faucets for corrosion, which makes it difficult to turn faucets and increases the likelihood of leaks. Replace any as necessary by calling a plumber for help. 

5. Don’t Forget the Hot Water Heater

Check your hot water heater before guests arrive to make sure it’s working correctly. Turn up the temperature on your heater to increase its capacity — just be sure it’s no higher than 120 degrees to prevent scalding. Space out showers and baths so the hot water tank has time to recover between uses.  

If you have a plumbing issue during the holidays or any time of the year, call the experts at Colorado River Plumbing Incorporated in Needles, CA. Their prompt and highly skilled professionals provide top-notch service 24 hours a day. These plumbers also offer hot water heater repair, sewer cleaning, and kitchen and bathroom remodeling. For more information, visit their website or call (760) 326-2626.