On behalf of the entire 2 Bro’s Plumbing team, we’d like to wish you all a very Happy Halloween! In addition to all of the sweet treats your little ones will bring home tomorrow evening, there are other ways to ensure the special occasion is a great one. The last thing you want is a frightful plumbing scare in your home. So why don’t we dive into how you can avoid nightmarish plumbing occurrences?
Flush nothing but waste and toilet paper.
Let it be known that your toilet is NOT a garbage can. It is not designed to flush away any materials other than your body’s waste and toilet paper. That’s it. You know those packages that read “flushable wipes”? Ignore them. Feel free to use the wipes, but be sure to dispose of them in the trash – not the toilet. Filling your toilets with anything other than waste and toilet paper will inevitably create clogs and blockages.
In addition, be sure not to add too much toilet paper to the bowl before flushing. Overloading your toilet is a request for disaster. We’re talking about a backed up toilet horror show! Imagine filthy water spilling out of your toilet bowl and on to the floor. Here’s hoping all you’ll need is a plunger and a mop to fix this nasty situation. But wouldn’t avoiding it altogether be better? Check out this blog to help you know what to do if your toilet overflows.
Detach those outdoor hoses.
Needless to say, it’s gotten colder in recent weeks. As a result, the days of watering our lawns will be behind us until the spring arrives. You don’t need those hoses to be attached to your outdoor faucets at this time of year. When you leave outdoor hoses attached throughout the fall and winter seasons, you allow the water trapped within them to freeze. This can lead to your hoses freezing and expanding, causing the pipes to burst.
Head into your house’s garage and into your backyard to detach the hoses if you haven’t already. Drain all of the remaining water from the hoses and store them in a dry space. You may even wish to take things a step further by insulating the outdoor faucets. This will help to protect them from damage due to extreme temperatures during the forthcoming winter season.
Send grease to the garbage.
There are a few important steps to proper grease disposal. They start with letting it cool and solidify. Because hot or warm grease is a liquid, many people mistakenly think that pouring it down the drain is the right way to get rid of it. They couldn’t be more wrong. If you haven’t yet, check out this recent blog which explains why pouring oil down your kitchen sink drain is a huge no-no.
Your second step is to scrape the now cooled and solidified grease into a bag or container that can be thrown away. You also want to ensure that you use a paper towel to wipe off any excess grease from your pots, pans and plates before washing them. You can still clog your drains by washing away oil and letting it go down the drain with water. The same goes for your food scraps. Remember that a stopped up sink can lead to major damage and costly repairs.
Happy Halloween from 2 Bro’s Plumbing!
If you encounter any unexpected plumbing horrors, be sure to give us a call at 905-556-0790 or email us at admin@2brosplumbing.ca!
