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How Homeowners Can Prepare Their Homes for the Holidays
The last thing a host wants to hear during this holiday party is: "The toilet's overflowing," or "The sink's backed up." It's like the house knows. Three-hundred and sixty-four days a year, everything's fine. Then, on the most important night of the year, everything goes to pots.
Thankfully, there are many things homeowners can do to prevent plumbing issues, from installing upgrades to patching leaks.
Spot the Signs of a Failing Toilet 
Ideally, a toilet does what it's supposed to do: carry waste from the bathroom into the neighborhood's sewer main. The toilet's flush should have a smooth, whooshing sound, and the pipes are perfectly dry. Anything else could signal a problem.
Spotting the toilets of a failing commode could save thousands of dollars in toilet repair bills. These signs include:
- Puddle around the toilet's base. This could indicate a crack. Not only could this cause leaks, but it's also a safety hazard. A crack comprises the toilet's foundation and makes it unsafe to sit on.
- There's sediment in the toilet bowl. Over time, small particles can accumulate in the toilet tank. This makes the toilet less efficient, as the sediment affects the water flow.
- The toilet wobbles. The older a toilet gets, the more it starts to lose its shape. While the problem might be a loose floor bolt, it could also be loose floor bolts. Consider toilet replacement. Just like everything else, toilets don't last forever. Depending on the material, they can last anywhere from 25 to 50 years.
Maintain the Kitchen's Sink Integrity
Kitchen sinks typically need much more maintenance than bathroom sinks. They are used more frequently, but they also carry away solid (or semi-solid) waste.
Leaks are the number one sign that the kitchen sink needs professional attention. These leaks may appear around the faucet's base, the drain, or underneath the cabinet. Remedies could include something simple, like a patch, or something more labor-intensive, like new pipes.
Signs of a kitchen sink that needs plumbing attention include:
- Mold
- Inconsistent water pressure
- Ineffective or slow drains
- Back-up in the drain
- Unpleasant odors come from the drain
- The water isn't clear
Consider an Upgrade
Today's smart home appliances make the Jetsons' house look like a cave. Nest, Google, Honeywell, and other big-name brands have wireless devices that can turn on the sink, regulate temperature, and even track homeowners' water bills.
These are the best home upgrades that every kitchen deserves:
- U by Moen: This faucet turns the water on and off with voice commands. It can also fill up containers and regulate the water's temperature. It also comes with a smart home app.
- The Smart 4-Door Refrigerator: Produced by GE, this Wi-Fi-enabled refrigerator allows residents to wireless control their appliances' temperatures. It also automatically dispenses water and fills the ice tray.
- iTouchless: Many kitchen sinks clog because homeowners' put food residue down the drain instead of in the garbage. iTouchless changes that. Its lid automatically opens and even prevents dogs from digging through it.
If homeowners notice corrosion or rust around their sinks' edges, they should consider hiring a sink replacement service. While there's no "smart sink" on today's market, sinks are made with stronger, long-lasting materials.
About Apex Pros Plumbing, Electric, Heating and Air
Apex Pros Plumbing, Electric, Heating and Air provides a host of plumbing services to those living in Columbus, OH. Customers know they can count these experienced plumbing contractors.
