Holiday Plumbing Problems

12/27/2016

It's that time of the year when family and friends are frequently coming over for one gathering or another. From Christmas Eve to New Year's Day, there's a good chance that you have hosted at least 2 parties. Naturally, with that comes more people using your restrooms. The more times your toilets and sinks are used, the better chance you have of encountering plumbing problems. While there may not be much you can do to prevent these issues, there are a few things you should keep an eye out for.

1. Where Are The Children? Whether it be your own kids, nieces, nephews, grandkids or younger siblings, young children can be unpredictable. Toys seem to be getting smaller and smaller these days, which could prove to be a disaster on your toilet. Make sure that small objects and toys are out of reach of small children. By doing so, you decrease the risk of these items being flushed down your toilet. Also, keep the bathroom door closed when it's not being used. That way, the toilet is out of sight and out of mind for the kiddos.

2. Is It Flushable? You never know what could cause a clog in your pipes. Anything from a wad of used tissues to feminine hygeine products can back up in your pipes and cause issues. The "Flushable Wipes" that are out now aren't technically even supposed to be flushed. Crazy, right? To avoid any issues, feel free to have an extra garbage can in your bathroom so vistors can dispose of some of these more personal items. Just be sure to empty it every day or so to avoid any foul smells.

3. What Is A "Courtesy Flush"? Well, it's another way that you can prevent your toilet from backing up! After using the toilet, simply flush the initial waste, then flush the toilet paper separately. By dividing up the work into two flushes, your toilet can dispose of the waste in a more efficient manner.

4. Will Closing The Lid Help? This is actually the easiest way to avoid an issue, especially with young children around. By closing the lid of the toilet, any object falling onto the toilet cannot and will not make it's way down the pipes. Prevention doesn't always have to be difficult or labor intensive!

If you do happen to encounter some plumbing problems or issues during the holidays, please call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Our plumbers are available 24 hours a day to fix your toilet.