The festive season is a busy time for everyone. The key is to be prepared – so here are some essential tips to save your home from a drainage crisis over Christmas!
Check your pipes
Are they properly insulated? This is even more important if you’re going away for Christmas, as your home could be left cold, un-used and unattended, the perfect conditions for pipes to freeze. Fit some insulation, especially to pipes in cold areas of the home like the attic or cellar, or outdoor taps. You could also turn the water off at the stopcock and then run the taps until the water stops flowing if you’re away for a while, meaning very little water will remain in the pipes. It’s also a good idea to set your heating to come on at a low level just to reduce the chances of pipes freezing. And finally, give a spare key to a trusted neighbour and ask them to periodically check your house.
No-one wants a fatberg for Christmas!
Remember that those hot fats, oils, and grease that go down the sink eventually cool and solidify… often in the sewers just outside your home. These can in time build up to giant fatbergs that block the sewage system. One-eighth of UK households admit that they let food waste down the kitchen sink, so with the increased consumption that we see over the festive season, make sure you’re not adding to the problem! Let the oils and fats from your Christmas turkey, roast potatoes and other cooking cool, then scrape into your food recycling bin.
Extra guests?
We often have family and friends staying over during the holidays. That means more strain on your drains! It’s worth using a strainer in sinks and showers to catch the extra hairs, bits of soap etc that could otherwise escape into your drains. And remind your guests not to flush wet wipes, cotton wool pads or other products down your toilet!
Christmas is a time for giving – not giving us a call because you have a blocked drain. No-one wants a bad smell or even worse, a backed up toilet at this time of the year. By taking a few simple precautions you can have the best chance of enjoying your Christmas.
