6 Plumbing and Heating Tips to Get You Through the Holidays

Is your home the place where everyone will be gathering for the holidays? If so, you need to ensure your plumbing and heating systems are prepared. In addition to shopping, decorating and baking, follow these holiday home tips to ensure your home stays warm and your plumbing system can handle the busy season.

1. Prepare Your Heating System

You can prepare your heating system for the holidays by doing the following:

• Check the thermostat: As outside temperatures go down, ensure your home’s thermostat doesn’t go on a holiday vacation. Test your thermostat’s reaction when you adjust the temperature setting.
• Upgrade your thermostat: A faulty thermostat will cause your heating system to be nonresponsive and fail to meet your holiday heating demands. If you haven’t already, consider upgrading to a programmable model to save energy and maintain a comfortable environment for you and your guests this holiday season.
• Change filters: Dirty filters can restrict airflow and cause your system to work harder, leading to higher energy bills and potential breakdowns. Clean or replace your filters before the start of the holiday season.
• Check guest room heating: Ensure that guest rooms are warm and comfortable. Test the heating vents and radiators to ensure they’re working effectively.
• Schedule a maintenance check: If your heating system hasn’t been serviced recently, now is a great time to schedule maintenance. A professional can inspect your furnace or boiler, ensuring it’s safe and efficient for the winter months.

2. Protect Your Pipes

Here’s how to protect your pipes from freezing:

• Insulate exposed pipes: Insulate any exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements or attics. This will help prevent freezing and bursting, especially during frigid temperatures.
• Keep the heat on: If you’re leaving home for the holidays, don’t turn your heat off completely. Set your thermostat to a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit to keep your pipes from freezing.

3. Be Mindful of Kitchen Drains

Prevent clogs using the following tips:

• Dispose of waste properly: With holiday cooking in full swing, avoid putting grease, fat, and large food scraps down the drain. These can lead to serious clogs. Instead, collect waste in a container and dispose of it in the trash.
• Use a sink strainer: Invest in a good sink strainer to catch food particles and prevent them from going down the drain. This small step can save you from major plumbing issues later.

4. Handle Your Hot Water Demand

Make sure your water heater can keep up with demand using these tips:

• Reduce hot water use: With guests visiting, your water heater will feel the extra demand for the delivery of hot showers, handwashing and dishwashing. Avoid running multiple appliances at once so your water heater can keep up.
• Schedule water heater maintenance: Give your water heater the gift of an annual inspection to check for worn components and sediment buildup.

5. Maintain Your Toilets

Avoid clogs and other unpleasant toilet issues with our help:

• Keep a plunger handy: Clogged toilets can be an embarrassing predicament for guests. It’s always a good idea to have a plunger within reach in case of an unexpected toilet clog. Provide trash cans in every bathroom to encourage throwing away anything that isn’t toilet paper.
• Identify issues early: Identify any toilets that aren’t flushing properly or leaking and address them before the holiday season. Being prepared can save you a holiday headache.

6. Emergency Preparedness

Here’s how you can stay ready for a plumbing emergency:

• Know your shut-off valves: Familiarize yourself with the location of your main water shut-off valve and how to use it. In case of a plumbing emergency, knowing where to turn off the water can save you time and limit damage.
• Keep a plumber’s number on hand: Don’t wait for a plumbing emergency to hunt for a local, qualified plumber. Add our phone number to your contact list.

Choose Us for Plumbing Repairs in Philadelphia & the Delaware Valley

The holidays are a busy time for your home’s heating and plumbing system, but following the tips in the blog can prevent several frustrating and costly problems. However, if you have an issue with your plumbing or heating system this holiday season, call Len The Plumber Heating & Air. We have the technical know-how to service your Pennsylvania home.

Contact us online now to request emergency plumbing repairs.