The winter holiday season is often described as the most wonderful time of the year, but the hubbub of the holidays can wreak some serious havoc on your home’s plumbing. Between, preparing large meals and having house guests over, your plumbing can take a real beating.
Holiday plumbing problems usually happen at the most inconvenient times, but at Pipes and Plugs, our same day 24/7 emergency plumbing service allows our service technicians to remedy even the most embarrassing plumbing problems in Lafayette, New Iberia, and Abbeville.
With the holidays just a few short weeks away, here are five common plumbing problems to be aware of.
Toilets that don’t flush properly
No one wants to tell their guests to jiggle the toilet handle just to flush it! A jiggly toilet handle is typically caused by a chain that is too long and has too much slack. This allows the chain to slip under the flapper and causes water to continue to run down into the bowl. Jiggling the handle lifts the chain and allows the flapper to fall into place. Luckily this can easily be fixed by shortening the chain, a job we’re happy to help with before your guests arrive! Also, be sure to take a good look at you flapper. A worn flapper can also cause similar issues.
Toilets that clog easily
Keep a wastebasket next to your toilet so guests can properly dispose of baby wipes, facial tissues, paper towels, and other waste. This will save both them and you the embarrassment and hassle of unclogging a toilet! Be sure to keep a plunger nearby just in case. If the toilet clogs repeatedly even after preventative measures, consider checking the water level to make sure it’s set at the right level. Also, check the flapper to make sure it’s opening all the way when the toilet is flushed. If the flapper doesn’t stay open long enough it can cause the toilet to half flush.
Garbage disposal issues
Never pour liquid fat, grease, or oil down your garbage disposal, as they can solidify and lead to clogs, odors, or worse broken garbage disposal. Allow liquid fat or grease to completely solidify in a container before disposing of it in the trash. Be sure to put hard, fibrous, and starchy waste such as bones, artichokes, potato peels, and corn husks directly in the garbage. Always run a steady stream of cold water while feeding waste into your garbage disposal. To avoid unpleasant odors and remove stuck debris, run cold water while emptying ice cubes into the garbage disposal. You can also thinly slice lemon or orange peel and do the same. For stubborn odors, consider using an eco-friendly drain cleaning product.
Backed up shower drains
Removing hair from your shower drain will prevent water from backing up. Accumulation of hair and soap residue will prevent water from draining properly and cause shower water to back up. Pretty gross, right? You may not mind, but your guests might! Cleaning your drains periodically keeps everything flowing smoothly. Placing a screen over the drain is an excellent way to catch hair and makes clean up snap!
Not enough hot water
Try turning up your water heater to ensure there is plenty of hot water to meet the increased demand of house guests. This may increase its capacity and allows visiting friends and family to enjoy a nice, hot shower. To avoid scalding, never exceed a temperature of 125 degrees. It may be worthwhile to consider installing a tankless water heater in the future to avoid this annoying and embarrassing problem altogether!
With over 40 years of combined experience in plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical servicing, you can count on Pipes and Plugs for all your Lafayette plumbing repairs and needs. Call us today to see how we can help you avoid a holiday plumbing headache!
