Can you believe that Christmas Day is only one week away? As well, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa start the day after! Chances are that you and your family are currently in the midst of planning some wonderful festivities for the holidays. We would suggest that you not neglect your home when considering all those you need to offers gifts to during the holidays. Why not make this the year you “gift” your home with proper plumbing upkeep?
Wrap your pipes in “winter coats”.
You certainly don’t need to be reminded that we all need to bundle up to beat the cold during the winter. As a result, you may have a winter coat or two on your holiday shopping list. Remember that your home’s pipes need protection against frigid temperatures too. A great gift for your home would be some insulation for its exposed pipes. We’re talking about the ones found in such unheated areas as the basement, crawlspaces and the garage.
Pipe insulation sleeves are an inexpensive way to prevent freezing during the winter. They ensure that water will continue to flow freely through your pipes. You can use either foam pipe insulation or heat tape to wrap and insulate exposed pipes effectively. It’s pretty easy to find these items at local hardware stores. The installation process is quite simple too.
Treat your water heater to a “spa day”.
Just like the rest of us, your water heater works pretty hard every day. Of course, this is especially true during the winter time. Naturally, we depend on our water heaters to provide us with warm and steamy showers, especially on super cold days. But, just like the rest of us, this vital appliance needs a little love. It’s important to flush your water heater annually to remove sediment. Doing so helps to improve its efficiency and lifespan.
This annual maintenance should also include checking the temperature setting. It should be around the 49 to 50 degrees Celcius mark to help prevent scalding of the skin during showers. If you wish for hotter water, you may want to gift your water heater with a mixing valve. This will allow you to adjust the temperature of your hot water. If you’re expecting overnight guests, you may wish to bump the temperature up slightly to meet increased hot water demands.
Give your bathroom a “makeover”.
Speaking of holiday guests, a crowded house means a lot more bathroom use. It’s important to have yours well prepared. Firstly, offer a little best practices information to everyone in your household. Be sure to communicate that they are only to flush toilet paper – no wipes, feminine hygiene products or cotton balls. This will help to prevent blockages. Keep a small trash can in the bathroom to make dispensing of garbage easy.
It’s a good idea to give your toilet a maintenance check as well. Inspect it for hidden leaks by placing a few drops of food colouring in the tank. If the colour seeps into the bowl without flushing, it’s time for a repair. Might it be time to replace your toilet? Check out this blog for some signs that it’s time for a toilet replacement.
Ho Ho Ho! Call in the pros!
If some expert plumbing work is on your home’s holiday wish list, please don’t hesitate to give your friends at 2 Bro’s Plumbing a call at 905-556-0790. You may also email us at admin@2brosplumbing.ca.
