The holidays are stressful enough without worrying about dealing with a plumbing problem in your home.
When you’re entertaining guests, it’s vital to feel confident in your plumbing system. Avoid some of the worst plumbing headaches this year by trying some of the following tips and tricks:
Test Your Sump Pump
If your sump pump hasn’t been used for most of the year, there’s a good chance that the motor in it has seized. This presents a problem since winter brings increased precipitation. You’ll want to make sure you test your sump pump before the holidays to prevent flooding and water damage in your home. Take the following steps to test the sump pump:
- Pour a bucket of water in the tank.
- Wait to see if the motor kicks in or if nothing happens.
- If nothing happens, the sump pump is probably seized and requires professional attention.
Insulate Your Pipes with Foam Insulation
Any pipes that are exposed to cold air are at risk to freeze over the winter. Frozen pipes are prone to bursting, which is a plumbing issue that no homeowner wants to deal with. To prevent this from happening, insulate your pipes with foam insulation and make sure any cracks or crevices are sealed to prevent cold air from entering your home.
Improve the Efficiency of Your Water Heater
During the winter, your water heater strains to maintain the temperature and retain heat. Help the unit be more efficient by investing in a water heater insulator. These sleeves are often designed with your unique water heater model in mind to fit perfectly. The sleeve will protect the water heater from the cold and save you money on energy bills this winter.
Inspect the Faucets
A spraying or leaking faucet is inconvenient during most times of the year. That inconvenience gets turned up a notch during the holidays. Some of the most common issues that will cause water to not flow freely from your faucets include:
- Worn out O-rings
- Corroded washers
- Sediment build-up in the spout
These issues cause leaking, dripping and spraying. Inspect your faucets before the holidays to ensure water flows freely from the spout.
Close the Shut-Off Valve
If you have already removed your outdoor hoses and stored them for the winter, you may be thinking that’s all you need to do with your outdoor faucets. But there’s another step that many homeowners forget. Closing the shut-off valve will prevent leaks and burst pipes in that area of your home.
Turn the Thermostat Up
Keeping your home warm during winter does more than just create a cozy ambiance for your guests. It also helps prevent burst pipes. We recommend keeping your home heated to at least 55 degrees or more to keep your pipes from freezing.
For more tips and tricks on how to avoid plumbing problems this holiday season, call Nixco Plumbing Inc. in Mason, OH. For safe and reliable plumbing solutions, call (513) 398-5907 today.