It’s the time of year where you’re likely gathering with family and friends to celebrate. However, you may find yourself with a Houston plumbing stoppageif you’re not careful. Plumbing issues frequently happen during the holidays. Therefore, make sure you prevent plumbing problems and call your Houston plumber as soon as possible if they do occur. Here are some common issues we see this time of year:
Holiday Houston Plumbing Stoppage: The Kitchen Sink
We frequently get calls about clogged kitchen sinks during the holidays. Generally, this is either because someone filled the sink with too much food or the wrong types of food. This can overload your garbage disposal and lead to a Houston plumbing stoppage. As you’re preparing holiday meals, make sure you cut large pieces of food into smaller bits and place them in the garbage disposal slowly. Also, remember not to put rice, pasta, gravy, or potato peels down your garbage disposal. Otherwise, you could be calling your Houston plumber for a clogged kitchen sink in the middle of your party.
Bathtub or Shower Houston Plumbing Stoppage During the Holidays
Another common Houston plumbing stoppage we see is clogged bathtubs or shower drains. Often this is when you have guests staying overnight. This increases the usage that your tub and shower drains normally get throughout the rest of the year. Also, the additional hair and soap scum from more showers can clog your drains. To help prevent these issues, install a drain strainer and ask everyone to take showers at least 30 minutes apart to help reduce the stress on your plumbing. That extra time can also help prevent fights about who took the last of the hot water, which is another great upside.
Toilet Clogs this Holiday Season
Similarly, clogged toilets often occur because of the increased use during the holidays. Also, your guests may flush things like baby wipes and feminine hygiene products. These can wreak havoc on your plumbing and cause a Houston plumbing stoppage in your bathroom. To help cut down on this unpleasant issue, keep a trash can nearby so your guests can dispose of un-flushable products easily. Also, keep a plunger close at hand in case of a clog.
Additionally, if you notice your toilet making gurgling sounds, this could be a sign of a Houston plumbing stoppage. Gurgling noises signal that air is escaping from the drain back into your toilet. This could be a clog in the toilet or drain, or it could even be caused by a blockage in the main sewer line. Be sure to address this as soon as possible with the help of your Houston plumber to help prevent overflowing toilets this holiday season.
Dishwasher Houston Plumbing Stoppage During the Festivities
After you’ve run your dishwasher, you might open it to find water still in the bottom. This is often a Houston plumbing stoppage caused by food debris. If you notice this issue, first check that your dishwasher completed a full cycle and didn’t accidentally get stopped in the middle. If your dishwasher won’t drain, check the drain basket (generally located at the bottom of the inside of your dishwasher). When this basket is full of food debris, you’ll likely need to clean the basket or call your plumber to remove the obstruction. To help prevent this, make sure you pre-rinse your dishes to remove large food particles before placing them in the dishwasher.
Preparing Your Plumbing for Holiday Guests
However, there are several things you can do before the party starts to help prevent a Houston plumbing stoppage. First, go around your home and make a list of any plumbing repairs or service you need. For example, you might be currently dealing with a slow-moving drain. Slow-moving drains are often a forewarning of a clog that could completely stop up your plumbing. Over time, gunk and debris may have started to build up in your drains, narrowing the amount of space in the drain pipes and making it take longer to drain water from your fixtures. If you’re currently experiencing these issues, call your Houston plumber for service.
In addition, if it has been a while since your last plumbing inspection and drain cleaning, you may want to schedule these services before the holidays if possible. This can help you identify any plumbing problems you may not be aware of and also help clear your drains of any buildup that could be worsened by increased use from all your holiday guests. Installing drain strainers on all your drains is also a great idea to help prevent plumbing clogs. These can help catch things that your guests may not realize could clog your plumbing or anything that accidentally gets knocked down toward the drain.
Also, if you’re really concerned about toilet clogs during the holidays, you could try switching to a different toilet paper. A common cause of clogged toilets is that your guests may use too much toilet paper. This is especially true if you have low-flush toilets that use less water per each flush. Even if you enjoy thick, fluffy toilet paper, you might want to try a thinner, but good quality toilet paper to help reduce the chance of a toilet paper Houston plumbing stoppage.
What if I Already Have a Houston Plumbing Stoppage?
However, sometimes clogs do happen. If you already have a plumbing clog, you may be able to clear it yourself. Remember to steer clear of chemical drain cleaners, as they can harm your plumbing. Instead, try a plunger for small clogs in toilets and sinks. Using a plunger and pouring some warm soapy water down the drain may break up the clog. However, in other cases, you may need emergency plumbing service to get your plumbing fixtures back in working order.
At Santhoff Plumbing, we are an elite Houston plumbing company with over 46 years of providing quick, friendly service to Houston area homeowners and businesses. Our team offers regular preventative maintenance services as well as 24/7 emergency repairs. If you have a plumbing emergency this holiday season, call us at (713) 360-2185. We are here to serve you!