As the holiday season approaches, many of us are busy planning family gatherings, preparing meals, and decorating our homes. But there’s one important aspect of holiday readiness that homeowners often overlook: the plumbing system. With an increase in house guests and holiday cooking, your home’s plumbing—especially the drains, garbage disposal, and water heater—can face extra strain. To ensure everything runs smoothly, it’s essential to give your plumbing system the attention it deserves. Here are some key tips to get your home ready for the holidays, focusing on your drains, garbage disposal, and water heater.
Keep Your Drains Flowing Freely
With all the extra cooking, baking, and washing that takes place during the holidays, your drains are likely to work overtime. Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing issues homeowners face during the holiday season. Grease, fats, and oils from cooking, as well as food scraps and hair, can quickly build up and cause blockages. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep your drains flowing freely.
Start by using strainers or drain covers to catch food scraps, hair, and other debris before they enter the drain. These inexpensive tools can help prevent clogs and make cleanup easier. Additionally, avoid pouring grease, oils, or fats down the drain. These substances can solidify in the pipes and cause blockages. Instead, pour them into a container and dispose of them in the trash.
If you’ve noticed slow drains in the kitchen or bathroom, now is the time to address them before guests arrive. A mild solution of baking soda and vinegar can help dissolve minor clogs. However, for stubborn clogs or recurring issues, it’s best to call a professional plumber. Falcon can quickly and efficiently clear your drains, ensuring your plumbing system is ready for holiday use.
Take Care of Your Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal is another appliance that will get a lot of use during the holidays. Between meal prep and cleanup, it’s important to take extra care of your garbage disposal to avoid jams and breakdowns. Remember that not all food items are safe to put down the disposal.
Avoid putting fibrous foods like celery, potato peels, and corn husks into the garbage disposal, as these can wrap around the blades and cause jams. Additionally, never put bones, eggshells, or coffee grounds down the disposal. These can damage the blades and lead to clogs. Instead, dispose of these items in the trash or compost.
If your disposal isn’t working as efficiently as it used to or is making strange noises, it’s best to have it inspected before the holiday rush. The plumbing experts at Falcon can assess your disposal and perform any necessary repairs or replacements to ensure it’s ready for heavy use.
Ensure Your Water Heater is Ready
A water heater breakdown is the last thing you want to deal with when you have a house full of guests. With more people showering, washing dishes, and doing laundry, your water heater will be working harder than usual. To avoid running out of hot water, it’s important to make sure your water heater is in good condition.
First, check the temperature setting on your water heater. It should be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal energy efficiency and to prevent scalding. If you haven’t had your water heater serviced recently, now is a good time to schedule a maintenance visit. A professional plumber from Falcon can flush the tank to remove sediment buildup, which can reduce efficiency and lead to corrosion.
If your water heater is more than 10 years old or showing signs of wear, such as rust-colored water, leaks, or strange noises, it may be time to consider a replacement. Upgrading to a more energy-efficient model, such as a tankless water heater, can save you money on energy bills while ensuring you have a continuous supply of hot water.
Call Falcon for Your Holiday Plumbing Needs
Don’t let plumbing problems ruin your holiday celebrations. Whether you need a drain cleaning, garbage disposal repair, or water heater maintenance, Falcon is here to help. Call us today at (703) 596-9998.