The winter holiday season takes a lot of preparation for some homeowners in Citrus Heights, CA. Consider following a checklist for your plumbing system, so that it works well throughout the winter months that you have guests and events.
- Consider upgrading your water heater if it is older. You may want to upgrade from a tank to a tankless unit or get something that is more efficient and has a higher capacity.
- Use vinegar to clean your shower heads. If your shower head has mineral deposits on it, then the flow of water won’t be as clear. The vinegar should get rid of the mineral deposits and allow your shower heads to work more efficiently.
- Check all the plumbing in your home for leaks. You can also listen to your walls to make sure you don’t hear water dripping or flowing when you don’t have anything running.
- Install trash bins by all your toilets, so you don’t have to worry as much about the wrong things going into the toilet.
- Make sure all your drains are clog-free! Install removable screens in your sinks, showers, and bathtubs to ensure that your pipes don’t get clogged because there are more people in your home.
- If you leave your home for the holidays, have someone check in on your home and turn off the water when you leave. Shutting off the water when you leave during the winter will help you avoid flooding if something happens and can lessen the chance of frozen or burst pipes. Make sure to run all the water out of the pipes once you’ve shut off the water!
- Clean your garbage disposal with vinegar and baking soda to get rid of lingering odors.
- Check all your appliances for signs of corrosion around the pipes and leaking.
- Make sure your pipes are well insulated, in case a cold spell comes through the area and brings freezing weather.
- Inspect your outside drains and make sure they are cleared. You should also check your gutters for debris, as clogged gutters can cause significant water damage to your home in a short period.