The holiday season can be a busy time of year in your home. Let’s look at some of the most common plumbing issues that can occur in your home during the holidays and how to handle them.
Low Water Pressure
There are several reasons why you may be experiencing low levels of water pressure in your home. There could be a local issue in your neighborhood or town causing low pressure, like a water main break. You can rule out a large-scale problem by reaching out to your local water authority for a potential update. You can also ask your neighbors if they’re having a problem with their water pressure as well.
Leaks in your home’s main line can also occur. These leaks are often hard to spot because the pipe is typically buried underground. You can rule this out by turning off all of the water in your home (including checking for dripping faucets and running toilets) and checking your meter. Record the number or take a picture, wait an hour, and then look again. If the water meter is continuing to creep up, you could have an intake leak.
You may have a leak in the plumbing system in your home, which is causing less water to arrive at your faucets. There may also be air in your pipes, which can affect pressure. Inspect the areas of your plumbing that you can see, checking for signs of water pooling, dripping, or condensation. If you find a problem, turn off the water to that branch of your plumbing system until a professional can come and fix the issue.
Lack of Hot Water
If you or your guests can’t get hot water, there may be a problem with your hot water heater. A problem with the heating elements in your tank can prevent water from being properly heated. This is often caused by mineral deposits in your tank that settle around your heating element. There could also be issues with the thermostat on your tank. Because of the potential danger of working with a hot water heater yourself, we recommend turning off the power to your tank and waiting for a professional to come to your rescue.
Leaky Pipe Problems
A pipe leak isn’t something you want to discover, especially when you’re having people over for the holidays. It’s tempting to ignore a leaky pipe until you have the time to address the problem. However, the leak could cause the pipe to break, creating extensive water damage. Turn off the water to the pipe that’s leaking. If you have the right tools on hand, you can check to see if the leak is due to a loose connection. Tightening this area would stop the leak. Plumber’s tape can help you temporarily repair a very small leak until help arrives.
Freezing temperatures can increase the risk of leaks. If you have sections of uninsulated pipe, the water inside can freeze and expand, leading to cracks. It is a good idea to inspect all plumbing at risk of freezing in the fall in order to prevent these issues once the snow begins to fall.
Slow Drains or Clogs
Clogs and slow drains are another problem that can lead to holiday disasters. You could experience a burst pipe from a clog. You could even have a backup in your sink or tub. It’s best to keep up with routine drain maintenance prior to the holidays to prevent this from happening.
If you have a clogged toilet, you can usually fix this problem using a plunger. Just make sure that you’re using a dedicated plunger that you won’t use in your kitchen sink. These “cleaner” areas should have their own dedicated plungers.
Avoid using chemical drain cleaners to remove a clog. While they can be effective, they tend to be very damaging to your pipes. This is because of the caustic nature of the chemicals used in these products.
Jammed Garbage Disposal
In the hustle and bustle of getting ready for a holiday party, you may have your garbage disposal jam or stop working. This often happens when we put items down our disposal that don’t belong there. This includes fruit and vegetable peels, large chunks of meat, and eggshells. Make sure that you turn off your disposal as soon as you notice a problem. This will prevent the motor from shorting out. Unplug your disposal before proceeding.
Use a flashlight to investigate your drain to see if something has jammed itself into your disposal blades. If your unit is powered off and you can easily grab the item, you can do so. If you don’t see anything visually wrong, you may need to call a professional for assistance.
Dripping Faucet
A dripping faucet is one of the less urgent situations that you may experience during the holiday season. However, you don’t want this issue to go ignored. A slow drip coming from your faucet can waste an average of 3,000 gallons of water per year. That will make a substantial difference in what you see on your utility bills. Depending on the issue, the fix can range from a quick twist of the screwdriver to a gasket change to a new faucet.
Running Toilets
A running toilet can be caused by several issues, including a broken float valve, the water level being set too high, a damaged flapper valve, or a leaking fill valve. These are all easy-to-replace parts that are affordable. Homeowners may be able to take on this task themselves.
Avoiding Holiday Plumbing Disasters
While you can’t avoid every issue that can occur with your plumbing system, there are certain proactive steps to pay close attention to. Make sure you don’t put inappropriate items down your drains or into your toilet. This includes things like large food scraps that are difficult to break down, grease, oils, paper towels, and feminine care items.
Schedule routine service for your plumbing system prior to the start of the holiday season. We can spot minor issues early on before they ruin a holiday gathering.
While we’re always on hand for your plumbing disasters, the holidays can make it challenging for a professional to provide you with immediate attention. This is true, especially if the weather outside is extreme, preventing us from getting to your residence in a timely manner. Have some basic plumbing essentials on hand. This includes plumber’s tape, basic tools, commonly sized washers and O-rings, a drain snake, and a couple of plungers.
If you need plumbing assistance around the holidays or throughout the rest of the year, reach out to our experienced team here at John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical. We provide emergency repair services, routine maintenance, new installations for water heaters, water filtration equipment installation, and much more. We also offer heating and cooling services. Our electrical services include replacing old wiring, making repairs, installing indoor and outdoor lighting, and providing surge protection.
Contact John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical in the Lincoln and Omaha, NE areas to schedule an appointment today.
