10/12/2019

4 Tips for preventing a plumbing catastrophe this Christmas

You’ve probably read several articles advising you on how to host the perfect Christmas, but have you thought about how to prepare your plumbing for all the extra strain? Here at Expert Plumber, we’ve thought of almost nothing else! So, we’ve put together 4 top tips for how you can help ensure your pipes stay clear and your heating stays on this festive season. 

1)    Don’t pour hot fat down the sink

While it’s tempting to pour hot liquid fat down the drain as you’re busy preparing a feast this Christmas day, don’t do it! While fat is runny when its piping hot, it quickly solidifies when it cools, forming sticky, smelly blockages in your drains and pipes, the last thing you need on Christmas. Instead, wait for the fat to cool and harden, then scrape it into the bin. 

2)    Avoid flushing unflushables 

Christmas can put an extra strain on your toilet, especially if you have lots of guests over during the holidays. Make sure your toilet is up to the task of servicing all those extra bottoms by ensuring you don’t flush anything you shouldn’t down it. One of the biggest causes of blockages isn’t, in fact, festive human waste, but things that don’t belong in the sewers - wet wipes (even so-called flushable ones) being the main culprit. 

3)    Treat your boiler to a festive service 

Annual servicing of your boiler helps keep your hot water and heating working effectively not only throughout the holidays but all year round too. With Christmas just a few days away, if you haven’t got around to booking your boiler service this year it is probably too late to get one in before the big day itself. However, not all is lost! Put booking a service for your boiler at the top of your new year resolutions list and enjoy the benefits all through the winter. 

4)    Be prepared for a Christmas emergency 

Of course, you can take every step possible to safeguard your heating and plumbing for the festive period but sometimes things going wrong is unavoidable. So, to prepare for the unexpected, do your research before the big day and find a reliable emergency plumber who offers their services 365 days of the year. That way you’ll have the contact number of a plumber ready and waiting should anything go wrong, leaving you free to enjoy the rest of the day. 


At Expert Plumber, we wish you a very merry, and plumbing emergency free, Christmas! If you need us over the holidays, our friendly and experienced team of Gas Safe plumbers operate throughout Dorset and Hampshire, so give us a call on 01202 081141 and we’ll be happy to help.