It’s National Picnic Month!
December 17, 2023
Prep Your Plumbing for Parties with Our Quick Tips!
July is filled with hot weather, family vacations, moonlight swimming, and (hopefully) plenty of sunshine. But did you know that July is also a month dedicated to eating? That’s right, it’s time to get your appetite in gear, because July is National Picnic and Hot Dog Month! If you’re a picnic person and you’re planning to celebrate, you’ll need to be prepared for hungry friends who may stop by for some grilled hot dogs and picnic treats. And this means it is essential for your home to be in top shape for visitors—and this is especially true of your plumbing. But fear not! Your professional team at Blue Dot has six homeowner tips that will keep your plumbing system flowing smoothly all season. Follow these tips to avoid unwanted emergency plumber calls during your picnic.
- Fix a running toilet.
Toilet running after you flush? If so, you could have a disconnected fill tube, a defective toilet flapper, or a flapper chain that is the wrong length. Once you uncover the problem, replacing the damaged toilet piece is easy. Still, need help? Just give our team a call.
- Freshen up a smelly drain.
There’s nothing more embarrassing than having a smelly bathroom drain when you’re entertaining. Fortunately, you can nip this problem in the bud before visitors arrive with one simple hack. Many times a smelly drain is the start of an unwanted clog. To freshen things up, pour with one cup of baking soda down the drain followed by one cup of vinegar. If you suspect you have a clog, pour a pot of hot water down the drain first, followed by the baking soda/vinegar concoction. Let sit for about 10 to 15 minutes and follow up with another pot of hot water. Of course, if your problem ever gets out of control, feel free to call us for drain service!
- Take care of your garbage disposal.
A garbage disposal isn’t a trash can. It’s important to remember that certain things belong in the trash and not the disposal. Remind your guests that things like corn on the cob, fruit peels, chicken bones, cooking grease, and potato skins should go in the waste can, not the garbage disposal.
- Know what not to flush.
While the toilet is a great invention, it was designed to flush human waste and toilet tissue, and nothing else. It is always a good idea to remind guests not to flush anything foreign. Refrain from flushing cotton balls, cotton swabs, baby wipes, and other items that may clog the toilet and cause an unwanted plumbing disaster.
- Keep a plunger handy.
Of course, during picnics and gatherings, your bathroom will get more use than it does during a typical day. For this reason, it’s always smart to leave a plunger handy in your guest bathroom—just in case.
- Learn where your main water shut-off valve is located.
As a homeowner, it is always critical to be prepared. If for any reason you’d experience a plumbing emergency before or during your picnic, you may need to turn off your water. For this reason, you should know where your main water shut-off valve is located. Many homeowners will find their main valve on the inside perimeter of the house, close to the foundation where it faces the street. Take the time today to familiarize yourself with where yours is located.
Get Plumb Good Service All Summer!
Blue Dot is Maryland’s go-to HVAC and plumbing provider. Whether you partake in National Picnic Month and National Hot Dog Month or not, we are always here for you and your family for all your home service needs. We offer top-notch drain cleaning services, HVAC service, AC repair, smart home installation, and have emergency plumbers handy when you need us. Call today!
Last Updated: April 30, 2024