Thanksgiving, Christmas and all the excitement and events surrounding them make the end of the year an exciting time. Between family, friends, and food, there always seems to be something going on. As fun as the holidays are, they can also take a toll on your home’s plumbing.
Holiday plumbing problems are not only inconvenient but they can also be quite embarrassing, especially if you have household guests. With over 20 years of experience serving the greater West Haven, CT community, you can trust Rick’s Plumbing to fix any plumbing problems that might happen during the holidays.
Here are five of the most common and embarrassing holiday plumbing problems and how to fix them.
Too little hot water
Dishes, laundry, and multiple guest showers can drain your water tank’s hot water supply. Not only can this be embarrassing, but having to take a cold shower can be downright annoying to your guests! To meet the increased demand, try turning up your water heater to increase its capacity. Never exceed a temperature of 125 degrees in order to prevent burning and scalding. A better, more long term solution would be to install a tankless water heater and you’ll have to worry about it again!
Backed up shower
Clogged drains in the shower are often caused by a buildup of hair and soap residue. Gross! Cleaning your shower drain on a regular basis can prevent a backup of shower water by allowing water to drain freely. Using a drain catcher or screen can help prevent clogging by minimizing the amount of hair that washes down the drain, which helps you avoid a “hairy” situation!
Loose toilet handles
Do you really want to have to tell your guests to jiggle the handle just to flush the toilet? Of course not! A chain that has too much slack because of its length is often the reason behind loose or “jiggly” toilet handles. The excess slack causes the chain to slide under the flapper and allows water to continue draining into the bowl. Wiggling the handle removes the chain and allows the flapper to fall back into place. The easiest way to remedy this issue is to shorten the chain by trimming any excess off. Be sure to also inspect the condition of the flapper. A damaged one can cause similar problems. Just give us a call and we fix this in time for the holidays!
Clogged toilets
Certain items such as paper towels, cotton balls, and feminine hygiene products should never be flushed down the toilet. Keeping a waste basket close to your toilet allows you and your guests to easily and safely dispose of these items. That way, no one has to worry about being “the one” who caused the toilet to overflow! Always keep a plunger handy just in case! If your toilet continues to clog despite taking these measures, be sure the water level is set correctly. In addition, ensure the flapper opens completely when the toilet flushes. If it doesn’t stay open long enough it may only half flush the toilet.
Garbage disposal problems
Fat, grease, and oil should never be disposed of in your garbage disposal. They can solidify and lead to clogs, odors, and even a broken garbage disposal! Allow fat and grease to solidify in a container before tossing it in the garbage. Hard, fibrous, and starchy waste such as t-bones, artichoke hearts, and potato peels should also be thrown in the garbage. When feeding your garbage disposal, always run a steady stream of cold water. To remove stuck debris and odor, run cold water while emptying a tray of ice cubes into your disposal. You can even feed citrus peel into your disposal to give of a fresh scent. Stubborn odors can be resolved with biodegradable drain cleaners.
Don’t let these plumbing put a damper on your holidays! For fast, affordable, and quality solutions to your most common holiday West Haven, CT plumbing problems, give Rick’s Plumbing a call!