Plumbing Problems During Christmas

Most people take the various plumbing installations in their homes for granted. It is only when a problem manifests that they come to realize just how important this particular system is. There are certain plumbing issues that can wreck havoc and bring a home to a complete standstill. Even worse still is the fact that some of these issues tend to arise at the most inconvenient of times for example in the middle of the night.

The Christmas period is pretty much here and one thing that most people would wish for during this festive season is a stress-free experience probably surrounded by family and friends. Needless to say, having plumbing problems is not going to prove very helpful in making this possible. It is therefore important to be prepared for any such eventuality so that you do not get all worked up when it actually happens. Here are some of the issues that might plague you during this period of merrymaking.

Leaky taps

This is probably one of the most common plumbing malfunctions in any setting probably because people use taps on a regular basis which of course leads to wear and tear. A leaky tap can be as seemingly insignificant a problem as a few drops being lost every minute to something as serious as the tap spewing a continuous stream of water. In both cases there is wastage of water, which can significantly increase your monthly bill. Fixing this problem is usually not that difficult; in most cases all you have to do is replace the washer within the tap. You may also have to replace the tap in some cases but this is really not as hard as it sounds.

Obstructed drains

Drains act as passage ways for water that has been used in sinks and tubs. When you wash the dishes, fruits/vegetables or your hands in the sink, the water that you use goes through the drains. You may never experience a problem with your drainage system provided that you do not introduce solid waste into the picture. There are certain solid items that can pass through drains but others are just too big and in most cases it is these that cause obstruction. Such an obstruction can be cleared using a plunger and the good news is that this is something that will probably take less than five minutes.

Water heater issues

It can get pretty cold during the holidays and undoubtedly this is when you really value your hot water. Well, an annoying thing might happen: your water heater might decide to fail you at this critical time rendering life very difficult for you and your family. A water heater malfunction might be as a result of blockage, a broken connection etc. The best thing to do in this case is to call in a qualified plumber and let him take care of the problem. You really do not want to go messing around with electric wires if you are not too sure of what you are doing. To say the least, there is no shame in asking for assistance every now and then.