To help you avoid any plumbing issues during the winter holidays, the experts at Mahon Plumbing have compiled this list of helpful tips that our plumbers want you to know.
The holiday season is well-known for household plumbing issues. Houseguest, family dinners, and heavy amounts of cooking all contribute to the increased stress on your household plumbing system. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, many plumbing companies experience many more service calls than usual. To help you avoid any breakdowns, clogs, and flooding during the winter holidays, the experts at Mahon Plumbing have compiled this list of helpful tips that any Mahon plumber really wants you to know. Read on to learn more!
Know Where Your Water Main Is
If you don’t know where your main shutoff valve is for your household water supply, now is the time to find it. Whether you already own your house or are renting it, it is crucial that you know where this valve is to handle a pipe leak or a more serious flooding situation. You should also know where all other emergency water shutoff valves are throughout your home, as well as how to use them. If you are unfamiliar with how to turn the valve off, ask a plumber for some advice. While you’re at it, it isn’t a bad idea to schedule an inspection to make sure your valves are working correctly.
Never Flush Away Hygiene Products, or Call a Plumber
The only two things that belong in your toilet bowl are toilet paper and any human waste. Even if a hygiene product is labeled as “flushable,” do not flush it! These products include:
- Hygiene wipes
- Feminine hygiene products
- Cotton pads
- Makeup wipes
- Toilet scrubbers
- Cat litter
None of these products, regardless of their labels, disintegrate quickly enough to pass through your home’s pipes safely. If you flush these down your toilets frequently, it can clog up the drains.
Avoid Using Any Toilet Fresheners
If you’re in the habit of using drop-in toilet fresheners, ditch them entirely. While they may make your toilet water look and smell fresh and clean, they are actually harmful to your unit. Freshener tablets contain some harsh chemicals that can deteriorate your toilet’s working parts over time, which will eventually cause a breakdown. As these tablets break down, they can get stuck in your toilet’s valve and prevent it from flushing entirely.
Replace Hoses Regularly, or Call a Plumber
If you’re not already in the habit of replacing the hoses on your dishwasher and washing machine, now is the time for you to start. Water hoses deteriorate silently and can burst without warning. So, your best form of protection against flooding is to replace them regularly. Your average plumber will recommend swapping them out every five years.
Call Mahon Plumbing Today
If you still have more questions regarding your plumbing, we here at Mahon Plumbing are here to help. We have been serving the wider Baltimore area since 1994, so we have 25 years of experience to back up our fantastic service! Call us at our Baltimore location at 410-766-8566 or our Pasadena location at 410-636-7944. Be sure to keep up with us on social media by following us on Facebook or Twitter.