Whether you’re having family come in for the holidays or you’re planning to visit them, nothing could be worse than a plumbing problem to clog up your good times. No one wants a house full of guests and a broken toilet or to come home from a beautiful visit to relatives to find a pipe has burst.
Stressing out about what could go wrong isn’t the answer either. Instead, follow these 6 tips to keeping your plumbing flowing during the holiday season.
- Check your faucets
A leaky faucet isn’t just annoying. It’s also a huge waste of water. Likely, it’s your O-ring or washer. Having that repaired is a great way to end that dripping and watch your water bill shrink in size.
- Don’t be stingy about the heat
It’s true that heating costs can add up, but even here in Florida, shivering it out during the holidays can lead to pipes that freeze. When temperatures cause water to freeze into ice, it expands and creates pressure in the pipe. This can lead to bursting. Avoid that by ensuring your home never dips below 55 degrees on the inside.
- Check your sump pump
The cold rain in a Florida winter can cause problems for your sump pump. Also, because they are not used as often here, they are much more likely to seize up and stop working just when you need them to be there for you. You can pour water into the sump pump tank until you see it at the right level. The pump should kick on, but if it doesn’t, it needs to be repaired. Has it done now before it gets too cold?
- Don’t forget your outdoor faucets
In the summer, it’s easy to get lazy about bringing the hose in. But in Florida winter, that hose needs to come off and you need to close the shut-off valve on your outdoor attachments. You certainly don’t want a leak or burst pipe there either.
- Use insulation on your pipes
One way to prevent burst pipes in cold temperatures is to use foam insulation on any exposed pipes you see in your home. It will keep them safe from cold air and prevent the most common winter plumbing problem.
- Use a water heater sleeve
Your water heater works harder in the winter to keep your water warm. You can use a special water heater insulation sleeve to keep it protected from the cold air while making it more efficient so that none of your holiday guests will have to take a cold shower.
Watermen Plumbing in Hallandale Beach FL is here for you with more tips and tricks for smooth-flowing plumbing during the holidays. Schedule an appointment today online or call us at (954) 997-5797 to make sure your plumbing is holiday-ready!