Ask Jack: Holi”YAY”s

Ask Jack: Holi”YAY”s

This week on “Ask Jack”: Jack tells us how we can prepare to make the holidays less crazy.

Hines Plumbing is a fully licensed and insured plumbing company serving Valparaiso since 2000. They pride themselves on being prompt, clean and thoughtful professionals with over 50 years of combined experience. So you can rest assured that your questions are being answered by a man who knows his stuff.

Did you know that Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of the year for plumbers? It's not because of the weather, it's because of the large amounts of people that come to one house and use the showers and toilets, and the amount of cooking that is done and the amount of food that is disposed of afterward. If you don't want to have a plumbing mishap during the holidays, then take a look at these tips.

1. Drain your water tank to remove sediments so it can run its best when the winter parties roll around.

2. Use ice cubes to clean debris from the sides of your garbag disposal. Dropping lemon slices in with it will make it smell nice, too. It's a myth that ice cubes will shapen the disposal's blades. Whoever told you that was true is a goofball.

3. Run your dishwasher when water usage is low like when everyone is asleep at night.

4. We've said this many, many, many times in other column posts, but we're going to say it again: please don't put grease in the garbage disposal. It builds up in the drain and can cause clogs. Prepare your holiday meal and toss the scraps, grease, and other stuff in the trash can.

5. Turn off and drain outdoor faucets, and disconnect water hoses, drain them, and store them away. That will prevent your hoses from getting damaged and it will prevent people from tripping on them if they're laying out.

6. Get a little caulky. Fill in gaps in windows, doors, trim, and vents to keep in as much as heat as pissible. That will keep everyone nice and warm and keep your heating bill lower.

7. If you are traveling for the holidays, keep your home heated to at least 55 degrees to keep pipes from freezing. Bump up the temperature some if you have pets who are staying home.

If you have a plumbing question for Jack send it to share@valpolife.com with the subject title “Question for Jack”!

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