Plumbing Solutions for your Austin Home this Holiday Season
To Ensure You Have An Unclogged Flowing System
Preparing Your Pipes For The Cold
Get Ready, Stay Ready
The last few years of intense cold winter spikes have had homeowners dealing with frozen or even fully busted pipes so this year, more residents are looking for workable plumbing solutions for their Austin homes.If you’re hosting holiday guests this year, the last thing you want is a plumbing emergency. It’s impossible to fully predict the weather, but it is possible to prepare yourself and your home for any possibility. By taking a few simple precautions, you can avoid potential problems. We have laid out a couple of ways that you can mediate issues with your plumbing this winter and make sure that your holiday season is enjoyable for everyone – including your plumbing.
Why You Should Wrap Your Pipes
Preventative Care for Your Plumbing System
As the temperatures start to drop, your plumbing is going to be working overtime. Be sure to insulate any exposed pipes in your home to prevent them from freezing. This is a simple precaution you can take now that will save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run. Simply apply insulation around the problem areas using an old sock or cloth. You can also use newspapers or towels in a pinch. Just be sure to secure it well so that it doesn’t come loose and cause more damage. If you’re not feeling confident about your DIY skills, there are plenty of professional services that can help you out. Either way, taking the time to insulate your pipes will pay off in peace of mind and lower utility bills.
Your pipes are most susceptible to freezing when the air temperature outside dips below freezing for an extended period of time, so it’s important to take measures to prevent this from happening. When water freezes, it expands, and this can cause your pipes to crack or even break completely. A small crack might not seem like a big deal, but even a tiny crack can cause significant water damage if it goes unnoticed. And once your pipes are damaged, they become more susceptible to freezing in the future. So wrapping your pipes is really a no-brainer when it comes to protecting your home!
How to Wrap Your Pipes
Checking in on your thermostat settings is an easy way to make sure that your water heater unit is running as efficiently as possible. If you notice that your thermostat is set too high or too low, then it could significantly impact how well your unit functions. Setting the temperature correctly helps reduce energy waste and ultimately leads to lower energy bills and improved efficiency.
There are a few different ways you can wrap your pipes, but the most important thing to remember is to use materials that will insulate well and won’t absorb water if there is a leak. Some good options include foam rubber or pipe insulation that you can find at any hardware store. You’ll also want to make sure there are no gaps or cracks where cold air can seep in. Once you’ve wrapped your pipes, be sure to check them periodically during the winter months to make sure they’re still snug and there are no leaks.
Essential Functions for better plumbing solutions in Austin
Understand Your Plumbing System
The holidays are a time for coming together with family and friends. If you’re lucky enough to be hosting this year, there’s one very important thing you need to do before your guests arrive: familiarize yourself with the shut-off valves in your home. A plumbing emergency is the last thing you want to deal with during the holidays, but if you know where the shut-off valves are, you can minimize the damage and avoid a potential disaster. So before your guests arrive, take a walk around your home and locate all the shut-off valves. Then, label them so you’ll know which one to use in case of an emergency. With a little preparation and plumbing solutions already in place, you can rest assured that your holiday gathering will be enjoyable for everyone.
Make Sure You’ve Got a Plunger Ready
Just In Case
The holidays are a time for family, friends, and, unfortunately, clogged toilets. Whether it’s due to too much paper being flushed at once or a stray toy being dropped into the bowl, a clog can quickly ruin your holiday plans. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have a plunger on hand – just in case. Plungers are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, and they can be a lifesaver when you’ve got company over. So before you get flushed with excitement for the holidays, make sure you have a plunger handy – just in case!
Be Kind To Your System
Avoiding Accidents and Blockages
As the temperature outside starts to drop, you may not be the only one feeling a little down. Your piping system is working hard to keep things flowing during the colder months, so it’s important to show it a little extra love.
Watch What You Put In Your Disposal
As temperatures outside start to dip, your pipes work harder to keep things flowing smoothly. To give your piping system a helping hand, be mindful of what you put in your garbage disposal. Avoid putting these things down your disposal:
- Coffee grounds – They might smell great, but coffee grounds can clog up your disposal and pipes.
- Eggshells – Eggshells might seem soft, but they can actually angle pieces of eggshell and can dull or damage the blades on your disposal.
- Potato peels – Starchy foods like potato peels can turn into a glue-like substance when they come into contact with water. That substance can easily clog up your pipes.
- Fatty foods – Grease and oil can solidify in your pipes and create serious blockages.
Don’t Put Grease or Oil Down the Pipes
Even though fatty foods can clog up your pipes, there is a right way to dispose of them. Letting hot grease or oil cool in your sink before disposing of it can actually make the problem worse by solidifying the grease and making it harder to clean out later. The best way to get rid of hot grease is to pour it into a heat-safe container and let it cool completely before putting it in the trash. Certain items, like coffee grounds, eggshells, and fruit peels, can cause clogs when they solidify in cooler temperatures. To avoid a messy situation, put these items in the trash instead of running them through your disposal.
You should also avoid putting grease or oil down the drain. When these liquids cool, they can solidify and clog your pipes. If you need to get rid of grease, pour it into an old coffee can and dispose of it in the trash.
Need Assistance?
We Can Help with our Plumbing Solutions in Austin!
Thank you so much for reading! We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. If you have any questions or find yourself needing some (urgent) assistance this holiday season, Green Leaf HVAC got you covered. Our team of specialists is here to help guide you through any plumbing solutions in Austin, large or small. Connect today and get a consultation with our team!
