Enjoying time with friends and family is the best part of this time of year. Many traditions are formed and upheld during these months, and generations keep the memories of loved ones alive through eating, sharing, and laughing.
If your houseguests have young children, however, you might be concerned about your plumbing system. A child’s toy can have an exciting adventure with one flush of a non-kid proofed toilet.
If you are worried about your drains and plumbing system while your younger guests are staying over, make sure to follow these tips:
- Install drain covers. The easiest way for a clog to happen in a bathtub, shower, sink, or toilet is for a foreign object to go down the drain. This could be anything from the lid off the shampoo to a bath toy. A foreign object down the drain will wreak havoc on the entire system, all the way to the sewer line or septic – which could cause a back-up of hazardous waste in your yard. Installing drain covers is an easy and inexpensive way to avoid this situation. A drain cover just lays right over the top of the drain and catches any large objects before the go down the drain. You can then grab the item, if it is large, or just scoop the drain cover out and dump the trapped contents into the garbage can.
- Install low-flow fixtures. Leaving the water running in the bathroom sink is a surefire way to end up with a flooded bathroom. The bathroom sink drain is only able to manage a certain volume of water and if the water is continuously running, the drain can easily get overwhelmed. Having low-flow fixtures in place will help to reduce the chances of this situation and protect your bathroom from the water damage of a flood. These fixtures also help to manage water conservation and keep your utility bill low.
- Add flushable wipes to the countertop in your bathroom for the kiddos. Too much toilet paper down the drain can quickly cause a clog. But, flushable wipes are easier to manage because only one comes out at a time. Simply instruct your littler guests to use one wipe when they potty, instead of the toilet paper. They will enjoy having their own special wipes and you can rest assured that your toilet will not be overflowing.
Enjoy your time with your guests this season – both big and small. Follow these simple tips to protect your plumbing system from accidental malfunctions, and keep everyone and everything happy and working great.
About the Author: Vincent Sposari, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Olympia
Vinnie has been a trusted plumber since 1989 and a Mr. Rooter owner since 1992. With over 31 years to back him, Vinnie has experience with a wide range of plumbing related solutions and systems. He and his team specialize in plumbing repairs, drain cleaning, emergency plumbing, and more.