Plumbing Tips for the Holidays

The holidays are a busy and exciting time of year, but they can also put extra stress on your New Jersey home’s plumbing. Whether you’re hosting guests or heading out of town, taking a few preventative steps can help you avoid emergency repairs or service calls. Keep reading this blog to learn a few tips to help your plumbing stay in working order this holiday season.

Plumbing Tips for Holiday Hosting

• Stagger showers: Give your water heater time to recover between uses by spacing out showers throughout the day.
• Use drain strainers: Catch hair and debris in bathroom drains to prevent clogs.
• Avoid grease in the sink: Pour leftover grease or cooking oil into a disposable container instead of rinsing it down the drain, where it can solidify and block your pipes. The DPW recycling center in Maplewood has a container for disposing of cooking oil and grease in an eco-friendly manner. If you live in another area, check to see if your town offers cooking oil recycling!
• Run the dishwasher at night: Spreading out appliance use helps prevent low water pressure and overworked plumbing.
• Do smaller loads of laundry: Washing smaller, more frequent loads of laundry can help reduce strain on your plumbing and water heater.
• Update old fixtures beforehand: If your water heater, faucets, toilets, or other fixtures are showing signs of wear, consider scheduling replacements before guests arrive to avoid last-minute plumbing emergencies.

Related Post: How to Choose the Right Water Heater for Your Home

Plumbing Tips for Holiday Travelers

• Keep the heat on: Set your thermostat to at least 55 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing while you’re gone. Be sure to check your fuel tank levels and place an order if necessary, as well!
• Check pipe insulation: Make sure basement and attic pipes remain covered and secure throughout the winter.
• Open cabinet doors: Allow warm air to circulate around pipes under sinks in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Let faucets drip slightly: A slow drip keeps water moving and relieves pressure in freezing temperatures.
• Have a neighbor or friend check in: A quick visit can help you catch leaks or frozen pipes before they cause major damage.
• Schedule repairs before you go: Fix leaks or plumbing issues ahead of your holiday traveling so you can have complete peace of mind knowing your systems are in good, working condition.

Related Post: Plumbing Tips & Services for Winter in New Jersey

Count on Our Experts for Holiday Plumbing Help

The Woolley Home Solutions team is here to keep your plumbing in top shape this holiday season and throughout the rest of the year. From fixture upgrades to plumbing repairs and water heater services, we offer reliable solutions to keep your home running smoothly. Schedule service before the holidays or contact us anytime if plumbing problems pop up. We’re happy to assist you.