Quick Emergency Plumbing Fixes for the Holidays

The Infamous Clogged Toilet

Nothing puts a damper on holiday cheer like a clogged toilet – especially when there’s a line! Increased usage, too much toilet paper, and unflushable items can create a bathroom backup nightmare.

First thing’s first: shut off the water supply by tightening the valve behind or near the toilet.

Now, grab a plunger and some elbow grease. Remove excess water from the bowl, then lower the plunger so as to fill the cup with water before forming a seal. Now, you’re ready to plunge away and dislodge that blockage.

Prevent future headaches by reminding guests to only flush toilet paper – no wipes, paper towels, or holiday feast leftovers!

Kitchen Sink Clogs & Slow Drains

The kitchen sees a ton of action during the holidays. Cooking grease, potato peels, and food scraps often make their way down the drain when they really shouldn’t. The result? A slow-draining or backed-up sink when you need it most. Luckily, we’ve got a couple of tips for you:

1.     Pour a kettle of hot water (NOT boiling) down the drain to help dissolve grease and oil buildup.

2.     Pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain and follow it with a half cup of vinegar. Watch the science experiment fizz and break apart minor clogs.

Still clogged? It might be time for a professional drain cleaning. Service Hero’s hydro jetting drain cleaning offers thorough results so you won’t have to deal with blockages again anytime soon.

The Dreaded “No Hot Water” Situation

A house full of people means extra showers, handwashing, and dishwashing. If you’ve got a tank-style water heater, then it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there’s a limited supply of hot water to go around.

Many times, there’s no issues aside from the fact that the hot water supply has run out. Give your water heater a break and wait about 20-30 minutes for it to recover. If the problem persists, then check the thermostat setting to make sure it’s at 120 degrees. Also, make sure the pilot light is on.

If the hot water still doesn’t return, then it’s time to bring in the local plumbers. The professionals at Service Hero can come prepared to handle maintenance tasks or quick repairs the first time around.

Garbage Disposal Jams

The garbage disposal is meant to break down food scraps, but too much scraps can break down the garbage disposal. Bones, fibrous vegetables, and coffee grounds are some of the biggest culprits behind holiday disposal breakdowns.

Sometimes, a reset will do the trick. Press the reset button on the bottom of the unit for a refresh. If that doesn’t work, you can use a wrench to manually turn the disposal blades and break up any jams.

Still jammed? A plumbing company like Service Hero can have you back on schedule in a jiffy. Call us today for urgent assistance.

Burst Pipes and Water Leaks

Cold weather plus increased water usage can lead to a nightmare scenario: burst pipes or leaks. We wouldn’t wish that water damage on our enemies. For our friends, we offer emergency plumbing repair.

If you’re dealing with burst pipes or water leaks, then shut off the main water supply to prevent further flooding – and open nearby faucets and flush toilets to release remaining water from the pipes.

Plumber’s tape and temporary patches will help until a plumber company arrives, but make sure to schedule that appointment or request assistance ASAP. Don’t wait for water damage to take hold. Service Hero is here when you need.