This is the season when we kick back, enjoy family and friends and usually, share a Thanksgiving meal.

Most of the time, everything goes off without a hitch. But each season brings a new crop of frustrated homeowners dealing with plumbing failures, during or immediately after the holiday.

Plumbing contractors everywhere experience a huge increase of drain stoppages, most of which could have been avoided.

Here are some holiday tips to get through the season without drain problems...

• Use your garbage disposal very carefully. This has been the number one culprit for seasonal drain stoppages for our customers. Here's what I do at my house and I've never in 22 years had a slow drain. First, don't put too much material at once into a disposal, especially if you have a smaller one  - 1/2 hp or less. Instead, with the water running, trickle the material in until done then let the water run for at least 60 seconds after the material disappears. This will insure that the material makes it all the way out. For a fool proof method, I simply gather up whatever material that needs to be disposed and put in my kitchen trash can - foolproof, works every time!
  

• Don't pour grease down your drains. The grease builds up on the inside of the pipes and eventually will clog completely. Instead, pour grease into a disposable container and put it in the trash.
• Don't use "drain openers" in a can or a bottle. It doesn't matter what the label says about being safe for your pipes, think about it; if the opener is strong enough to dissolve solid material, it can and often does create plumbing leaks in piping.

For drain problems, call...

Extreme cold weather can cause some disastrous plumbing problems. Your best defense against freezing and bursting pipes is to take the correct steps to prevent a problem now.

    * If you're going away for the holidays-or the cold weather months in general-the safest bet is to turn the water off to your house until you return. Open some faucets to ensure water is all the way off. Make sure you leave your heat on, set no lower than 55 degrees or your pipes are in danger of freezing or bursting.

    * Make sure everyone in the house can locate the main water shut-off valve. If no water comes out when you turn your faucets on, your pipes are probably frozen. Leave them on and immediately call a plumber. If you've already discovered that your pipes have burst, still keep the faucets on, but turn off the water at the main shut-off valve and call a plumber.

    * If you suspect your pipes are freezing, wrap towels that have been soaked in hot water around cold pipe sections. Keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes and turn on faucets just enough to let them drip slowly. Keeping the water moving will help prevent freezing.

    * Never try to thaw a pipe with a blowtorch or other open flame and do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water.

    * Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in.

    * If you end up needing to call a plumber because of an emergency, keep a clear head. Give us a call and we'll get out there right away to solve the problem.
 

 

As the holidays approach, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging people to look for and eliminate potential dangers from holiday lights and decorations that could lead to fires and injuries.

  
Each year, hospital emergency rooms treat about 8,100 people for injuries, such as falls, cuts, and shocks related to holiday lights, decorations, and Christmas trees. In addition, Christmas trees are involved in more than 400 fires annually, resulting in 30 deaths, 90 injuries, and an average of more than $17 million in property loss and damage.

Have a safe and happy holiday season by following these safety tips.

Trees

    * When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.

    *   When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green; needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

    *   When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.

Lights

    * Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with safety standards.

    *   Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.

    *   Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.

    *   Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.

For more information, please call the best...

 

Bill Casey

Metro's Best Electric

Rooter n Drains

Angie's List

Electrical Safety Foundation International

 
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