Check Your Kitchen Drains and Garbage Disposal

Holiday cooking in Littleton means more scraps, grease, and leftovers heading toward your sink and garbage disposal. Unfortunately, these are also the #1 culprits of kitchen clogs during the holiday season. Taking a few preventative steps can save you from a major plumbing headache while entertaining guests.

Key Steps to Keep Your Kitchen Drains Running Smoothly:

1. Avoid Pouring Grease or Oils Down the Drain

   • Hot grease may look harmless, but as it cools, it solidifies and coats the inside of your pipes.

   • Over time, this buildup narrows the pipe opening, creating stubborn blockages.

2. Run Cold Water While Using the Garbage Disposal

   • Cold water helps solidify small grease or fat particles, allowing the disposal to grind them more effectively.

   • It also helps flush food waste completely through the disposal and pipes.

   • Avoid hot water, which can melt fats and allow them to cling to pipe walls.

3. Use a Sink Strainer to Catch Debris

   • A simple strainer can stop small bones, fruit pits, coffee grounds, or vegetable peels from entering your disposal.

   • This not only protects your disposal blades but also prevents jams that may require costly repairs.

4. Break Down Large Food Waste Before Disposal

   • Cut larger scraps into smaller pieces so your disposal can handle them more efficiently.

   • Never overload the disposal—feed waste gradually while running water.

5. Freshen and Maintain Your Disposal

   • Toss a few ice cubes and a slice of lemon into the disposal and run it with cold water.

   • The ice helps clean and sharpen the blades, while the citrus neutralizes odors.

Inspect Toilets for Leaks or Weak Flushes

During the holidays, your bathrooms will see much higher traffic than usual. A toilet that seems “fine” today can quickly turn into a plumbing emergency when family and guests are over. Prevent issues by taking a few minutes to inspect and prepare your toilets before the festivities begin.

Steps to Ensure Toilets Are Holiday-Ready:

1. Check for Leaks Around the Base and Tank

   • Look for water pooling around the base of the toilet or damp flooring.

   • Remove the lid from the tank and listen for a hissing sound, which could indicate a slow leak from the fill valve.

2. Test the Flush Strength

   • Flush the toilet and observe the water flow.

   • If the flush is weak, it could mean the flapper is worn out, the fill valve is faulty, or the siphon jet is clogged.

   • Replacing these inexpensive parts before guests arrive can save you from mid-party plumbing issues.

3. Listen for Continuous Running

   • If your toilet keeps running after a flush, it’s wasting water and signaling a problem.

   • Adjust the chain length, check the flapper seal, or replace worn-out components.

4. Stock Up on Essentials

   • Keep plungers in each bathroom—don’t wait until an emergency to realize you only have one.

   • Store extra toilet paper and basic cleaning supplies to avoid frantic last-minute runs to the store.

Ensure Hot Water Supply Meets Demand

When guests are visiting, nothing disrupts the holiday spirit faster than running out of hot water. Between extra showers, dishwashing, and laundry, your water heater works harder than ever during winter in Littleton, CO. Preparing your system now ensures everyone stays comfortable and avoids those icy surprises.

Steps to Get Your Water Heater Holiday-Ready:

1. Flush the Tank to Remove Sediment

   • Over time, minerals and sediment build up at the bottom of your tank, reducing efficiency and water capacity.

   • Draining a few gallons or performing a full flush clears out this buildup and helps your system heat water faster.

2. Check the Temperature Setting

   • The recommended setting is 120°F (49°C) for both safety and comfort.

   • Anything higher wastes energy and increases the risk of scalding—especially important when kids or elderly relatives are visiting.

   • Keeping it at the right temperature also reduces strain on the heater.

3. Inspect for Leaks, Rust, or Unusual Noises

   • Look for water pooling around the base or rust forming on connections.

   • Popping or rumbling noises can indicate sediment buildup inside the tank

   • Addressing these signs early helps you avoid mid-holiday breakdowns.

4. Test the Pressure Relief Valve

   • Lift the lever on the valve briefly and let it snap back.

   • A short burst of water should release—if not, the valve may be faulty and needs replacement for safety.

5. Consider a Tankless Water Heater Upgrade

   • If you host large gatherings often, a tankless system provides endless hot water on demand.

   • It’s energy-efficient, space-saving, and ideal for busy holiday households.

   • While it’s an investment, it can pay off with long-term savings and convenience.

Prevent Frozen Pipes in Littleton’s Winter Chill

In Littleton, CO, winter temperatures can dip well below freezing, making frozen pipes one of the most common—and costly—holiday plumbing emergencies. When water freezes inside pipes, it expands, often causing cracks or bursts that can flood your home. Preparing now can save you from major headaches (and repair bills) during holiday gatherings.

Steps to Protect Your Pipes This Winter:

1. Insulate Exposed Pipes

   • Focus on vulnerable areas such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and exterior walls.

   • Use foam pipe insulation sleeves, heat tape, or fiberglass wraps to keep pipes warm.

2. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses

   • Always detach hoses from outdoor faucets before the first freeze.

   • Water trapped inside can freeze, expand, and push back into the connected plumbing line, causing damage.

   • Store hoses indoors or in a shed to prevent them from cracking in the cold.

3. Install Faucet Covers on Exterior Spigots

   • Exterior faucets are particularly vulnerable.

   • Add inexpensive insulated covers (available at any hardware store) to provide an extra layer of freeze protection.

4. Keep Faucets Dripping During Extreme Cold

   • On nights when temperatures drop significantly, allow a slow trickle of water to flow from faucets connected to vulnerable pipes.

   • Moving water is far less likely to freeze than standing water.

   • Even a small drip can prevent a burst pipe disaster.

5. Open Cabinet Doors to Expose Indoor Plumbing

   • Under-sink pipes in kitchens and bathrooms (especially those on exterior walls) can benefit from the extra warmth of indoor air.

   • Leave cabinet doors open on very cold nights to help heat circulate around pipes.

Don’t let plumbing problems put a damper on your celebrations. Contact Bravo Initiative LLC today to schedule your Holiday Plumbing Inspection and enjoy peace of mind all season long.

Contact us to secure your appointment before the holiday rush.

👉 [https://www.bravoplumbinglittleton.com/]