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Holiday Plumbing Service DIY Checklist You Must Do!

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The holiday season is finally upon us, and it’s time to prepare your home for family and friends coming over to celebrate. This, of course, includes making sure your plumbing systems are running smoothly so that you don’t need emergency plumbing services right in the middle of your holiday festivities. Looking for a comprehensive checklist you can follow to make sure every plumbing system is fully operational in the coming months? Today we will discuss all of the plumbing services and regular maintenance steps that will guarantee you won’t have to worry about any mishaps during your holiday get-togethers.

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Before the guests arrive

It is possible you could have a plumbing emergency if there is a significant strain on your plumbing system that it is not used to handling, but it will be far less likely if you take the proper precautions.

Drain maintenance

In order to make sure you do not experience clogged drains during the holidays, it is a good idea to get a cleaning done beforehand. You can hire residential plumbing services for this task, or you can perform it yourself on your kitchen and bathroom drains by using plungers, drain snakes, or hot water and a vinegar and baking soda solution that can dissolve possible clogs without harming your pipes. Another thing to do is make sure you have drain screens in all your sinks and showers that can catch debris like hair and soap scum. This can help significantly reduce the chance of drain backups.

Water heater maintenance

Whether it is gas or electric water heaters, you will want to make sure your water heater installation is fully operational for you and your guests, so it is vital to perform some checkups on the equipment. You may want to adjust the temperature in preparation for the increased usage it will be getting. Check for leaks around the tank and pipes, make sure there are no signs of corrosion, test the water pressure, and check that the anode rod is still healthy. It is also good to check the pressure relief valve, the heating elements (tankless water heater or electric water heater) or pilot light (gas water heater), and flush out a bit of water from the tank to ensure there is no sediment starting to build up.

Test toilets

It is a good idea to test flush every toilet in your home that is going to be in use to make sure they are all flushing properly and that there are no plumbing leaks anywhere around the appliance. This is also a good time to check and address if there are any running noises or unusual sounds after the toilet has been used that would indicate plumbing issues.

Check for plumbing leaks

Inspect all around every plumbing appliance and fixture to see if there are any signs of a leak. If you find any water dripping from pipes or faucets, make sure to either tighten loose valves or connections or call professionals for plumbing repair.

Ready to get things fixed? Schedule your service today or give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.

Schedule residential plumbing services

While it is important for homeowners to perform some basic checkups themselves, it would be very beneficial to schedule an inspection with professional plumbers before the holiday season. This way, you can get a full inspection with proper equipment handled by licensed professionals and be sure that there are no underlying plumbing problems that could turn into larger ones when all your guests are here. Skilled plumbers can take care of water heater repair, sewer or drain issues, low water pressure, and all other sorts of plumbing needs. It is also important to call a licensed plumber if you have plumbing repairs or a plumbing project that is complex, or you could risk damaging something like a water line. Any repair or replacement needed can be handled immediately by a plumber as well.

John Owens Services is your local team of plumbers in Marin and Sonoma County, always prepared to provide excellent service and leave happy customers after every job. Customers in need of repair services for their plumbing problems can always count on our plumbers to go the extra mile with lasting residential plumbing solutions, whether we are servicing a leak, clogged drain, or water heater installation. We are licensed professionals who can provide homeowners with residential plumbing tools for every service job.

While guests are here

While guests are here of water throughout your home. Hot water may take longer to reach faucets, showers may sputter, and appliances like washing machines may underperform.

Professional plumbers can locate blockages or corrosion points and suggest cost-effective solutions. In some cases, replacing sections of the piping system with new copper or PVC pipes restores water flow and prevents future plumbing issues.

Call John Owens Services to diagnose low water pressure and restore full water flow throughout your home.

Going away for the holidays?

Homes built before the 1970s often contain lead pipes or galvanized plumbing connected to the city’s water line. Lead exposure is a serious health hazard, and galvanized pipes can corrode over time, restricting water flow and causing leaks. These pipes may also harbor bacteria, further compromising water quality.

Replacing these pipes is a cost-effective measure in the long run, preventing extensive water damage, health risks, and future repairs. Plumbers can perform trenchless pipe repair or partial pipe replacement, minimizing disruption to your home while addressing the core problem.

Book your consultation with John Owens Services to assess whether your home requires lead pipe replacement or galvanized plumbing upgrades.

Have a question or need a hand? Reach out anytime. You can book a service or talk with our team.

If you’re planning on leaving for a holiday getaway, there are also a range of tasks that can help you rest easy knowing that your plumbing at home is well taken care of.

Shut off the water

The best way for homeowners to ensure there are no plumbing catastrophes while they’re away is to simply turn off the water in the home. Pipes can burst and leaks can occur at any time, so it would be a good way to ensure water damage does not occur. Make sure to let the faucets run when you turn the water off so that all the water can completely drain.

Inspect the sump pump

Sump pumps help to prevent flooding in places like your basement or crawlspaces, so it is important to be sure it is fully functioning before you leave for a period of time. If it is not, you should have a plumber repair or replace it before you go. This way, if there is an incident, you can be assured that the sump pump will drain away any standing water to prevent damage in your basement or crawlspace.

Water heater temperature

If you are leaving the house for a while, it is a good idea to turn down the temperature on the water heater just a few degrees. This will ensure that your water heater doesn’t exert an unnecessary amount of energy storing hot water that you will not need to use. Depending on how long you are leaving, it might even be a good idea to drain the tank.

Check for corrosion

Always check for leaking, dampness, or corrosion around your plumbing fixtures before you go. If you do find anything, you will want to call for plumbing repair services before you leave, since you do not want the corrosion to sit and rot while you’re away and cause a large amount of damage.

The holidays should not have to be a time to stress about residential plumbing issues. By taking the correct steps to inspect and maintain your plumbing system, you can lessen the possibility of needing emergency plumbing services during the holidays. Follow the steps in this list to make sure you are not in need of plumbing repair or replacement services this holiday season and can enjoy the benefits of a holiday celebration without the worry of any plumbing mishaps to derail the festivities.