Halloween is not the season to be jolly, but it’s one of the most awaited events yearly. Kids dress as their favorite cartoon or movie characters in this yearly event. And for adults it’s also time for adults to wear their most awaited outfits. For that reason, Halloween is an inspiring event of the year aside from Christmas.
During Halloween, it became a tradition to leave candies outside for the kids and watch scary movies to feel the essence of Halloween. However, a plumbing emergency is one of the most challenging things to experience during Halloween.
As a homeowner, that is the last thing you want to experience in an event like Halloween. Since it’s a busy time, some plumbers may be available later. So, if you want to chill and watch a movie during Halloween, you must be prepared for emergencies or prevent scares like plumbing issues.
On this blog, you’ll know and be aware of how to treat plumbing emergencies to avoid scares during Halloween.
Common Halloween plumbing emergencies
During Halloween, the usual decorations are tissue hanging from trees and ceilings. It is supposed to resemble a cobweb surrounding the house or is sometimes used to cover a mummy. Due to excessive tissue decorations, some of the decorations may flow to the toilets, or the other parts of the plumbing systems get clogged.
Aside from clogging due to tissue, the sump pump can fail, especially after heavy rain or flooding. Garbage disposal is also an issue during Halloween. Pumpkin pulp and seeds thrown in the garbage disposal used as Halloween decorations can also cause some plumbing emergencies.
Lastly, burst pipes due to freezing temperatures are the reasons for plumbing emergencies. When Halloween comes, winter is also coming. Due to the cold temperature, the water supply can freeze due to the temperature, and it can cause pipes to break down and create leakage that will eventually lead to water damage.
Preparing ahead to prevent emergencies
You can take three significant steps to prevent any stress with your plumbing system during Halloween.
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Inspecting the plumbing system before Halloween
Since winter comes with Halloween, checking for cracks and leaks in your pipes, inspect is important if they’ve loose connections and water is flowing out of them.
And while you are there inspecting your pipes, make the time to clean the drains of debris or substances prone to clog while you are there. You can use a baking soda and vinegar mixture to dissolve those debris and substances that clog your drains to keep the water flowing before Halloween.
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Being mindful of what goes down the drains and toilets
Toilets are only meant to flush down and not dissolve things. Tissues and other residues flushed down to the toilets will only clog it since it doesn’t get dissolved from the water.
It’s essential to have separate bins to throw tissues and other things and not on the toilet during Halloween, or even if it’s not Halloween. If you have decorations for Halloween, create a separate garbage disposal for them. Always remember that toilets can’t dissolve materials.
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Ensuring efficient functioning of sump pumps
If you have a sump pump installed in your home, ensure it’s working correctly and there is a backup power supply in case of a power outage. Before Halloween, and even if it’s not Halloween, schedule regular maintenance and testing to check for something wrong with your sump pump.
Halloween decorations and plumbing risks
As mentioned earlier, there are other Halloween decorations that can cause plumbing risks and lead to plumbing emergencies. So when deciding on decorations during Halloween, here are some factors that you should consider.
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Using caution with decorative items near plumbing fixtures
As mentioned earlier, tissue is one of the most common decorations for Halloween, and it’s located anywhere in the house. To avoid problems, what you can do is place the tissue in places away from pipes or valves. It is to prevent them from falling inside and causing clogging.
And if you plan to decorate, avoid sensitive plumbing areas and drains where decorations can fall. As a homeowner, it’s only natural to decorate your house, but it’s also your responsibility to keep your home from any problems.
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Choosing plumbing-friendly decorations
As a homeowner, you are responsible for what will happen with your home during any events aside from Halloween. When choosing a decoration, refrain from using water-based decorations and only use non-water-based decorations.
There are many alternative ways to decorate your home during Halloween that won’t put your plumbing system at risk. There are also risks from using water-based decorations that may damage your pipes and fixtures. Aesthetics are great, but the functionality of your home is more important.
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Safely removing decorations to prevent accidental damage
After the Halloween Celebration, pay attention to the decorations sitting in your home but be responsible for removing them, especially if they are near plumbing fixtures. Some Halloween decorations can be challenging to remove but safely remove them.
Always create a separate garbage disposal, and do not just toss them into the drains. And if you have decorations in your plumbing system, check for any signs of damage, leakage, and loose connection. Checking your plumbing system as early as possible prevents severe damage.
What to do in case of a plumbing emergency during Halloween
When things get out of hand, there are still some essential steps that you should take. Things in life happen even if you are prepared for them. Sometimes, you might need some help, like emergency plumbing services in San Francisco. But no matter the outcomes, you should still do these steps for better results.
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Staying calm and assessing the situation
Like any other health and safety tips, staying calm is essential. During the emergency, please take a deep breath before moving your limbs, as it only makes you panic. Take your time and assess the situation to understand your situation better.
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Shutting off the water supply if necessary
During a plumbing emergency, shut off the water supply if necessary. There are two reasons why, to avoid your house getting wet and avoid further damage. You can lessen the damage from a plumbing emergency when the water supply is shut off.
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Contacting a reliable emergency plumber
In life, it’s always recommended to have a backup. And on plumbing emergencies, make sure you have a reliable residential plumber in San Francisco that you can call and will help you with repairs and maintenance.
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Keeping safety as the top priority during repairs
When you’re repairing the damaged area of the plumbing emergency, your main priority is your safety. Don’t risk your safety just to fix something in your plumbing area. It is one of the reasons why having a trusted professional that you can always call to guide you during a crisis like this.
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Learning from the experience and taking preventive measures for the future
After a stressful crisis, you will learn from a great experience. Instead of feeling bad, use this event as a motivation to prepare and use preventive measures for the future to avoid experiencing a stressful Halloween again.
Enjoy a stress-free Halloween this year!
Halloween celebrations should be fun and exciting, and they should be stress-free. To enjoy the holiday season with peace of mind, take preventive steps and always check your plumbing system for potential plumbing emergencies. As long as you prepare for it, all problems are easy to resolve.