Don't Get Spooked By Halloween Plumbing Emergencies

Stop Scary Plumbing Emergencies 

Halloween can be fun for kids who love being scared with stories of ghosts and ghouls. On the other hand, their parents are probably more easily scared of stories of expensive problems around the house. Some of the scarier stories that homeowners can share this time of year are any number of plumbing problems that can happen. 

This year, instead of being afraid, take some action and prevent the problems before they start. Here are a few of the most common plumbing problems that can plague a house and some ways to keep them from getting out of hand. 

Keep Drains Clear With Drain Cleaning 

One of the scary stories that homeowners tell is about clogged drains. Clogged drains are a common problem regardless of the season, and they can lead to nasty messes that need professional solutions to remedy. 

One of the best ways to keep drains from clogging is periodic drain cleaning. Drain cleaning can be done by homeowners or with more advanced techniques of professional drain cleaners. Some recommendations for homeowners to keep their drains clean are:

  • Keep kitchen grease and food scraps out of the drain
  • Flush sinks with hot water periodically to flush debris out of drain piping
  • Use vinegar and baking soda to bubble out clogs
  • Install hair traps to keep clogs from forming

Professional drain cleaning services always recommend avoiding chemical drain cleaners. These dangerous chemicals can damage piping leading to a need for massive repairs. 

Stop Clogged Toilets Before They Start 

toiletAnother common spooky story among homeowners is one of clogged toilets. Clogged toilets prevent flushing and can cause nasty backups onto the bathroom floor. Luckily, in many cases, one can avoid clogged toilets. A few ways to avoid toilet clogs are:

  • Never flush too much toilet paper
  • If too much toilet paper is being used, flush an extra time to prevent a clog
  • Don’t flush wipes or hygiene products
  • Provide a waste basket for unflushable materials

If clogged toilets are a problem, one should always keep plungers on hand. Minor clogs are no big deal as long as a homeowner knows how to plunge a stool. When clogs become too frequent, there may be more serious causes, and professionals should be called in immediately to investigate. 

Remember Water Heater Maintenance 

maintenanceThe water heater is one of the most prized appliances in a home. Nothing is better than unwinding after a long hard day with a hot shower. Conversely, nothing is more horrific than turning on the shower only to be met with icy cold water. 

To prevent this horror story from becoming a reality, homeowners should remember water heater maintenance. Water heater maintenance is a professional service that ensures the water heater stays healthy and is ready to provide another year’s worth of service. During water heater maintenance, technicians will: 

  • Drain and flush the tank
  • Check the burner or heating element
  • Look for leaks
  • Inspect anode rod
  • Verify delivery of hot water

Homeowners will notice a drop in utility bills and longer-lasting water heaters if maintenance is done yearly. 

About Apple Valley Plumbing Company

Apple Valley Plumbing Company is the local choice for custom plumbing solutions from experienced professionals. They provide award-winning services for drain cleaning and water heater maintenance. Call today to get lasting results from plumbing and appliances in Apple Valley, MN.

Fun Halloween Activities Every Family Will Enjoy

The Best Way To Have The Spookiest Halloween Fun!

There are so many fun ways to celebrate Halloween. Whether homeowners want to have a truly spooky time to host something a little more family-friendly, there are endless options to choose from. Halloween is the time to get creative and have a little spooky fun! In this article, homeowners will get a closer look at some of the best ways to have fun this Halloween, and some of those ways include making sure the kitchen plumbing and bathroom plumbing are in order. Luckily, professional plumbers have the best tips for Halloween fun and plumbing fun this year! Continue reading to get all the information. 

Halloween-Themed Baking baking

What’s more fun than spending time baking in the kitchen? It is an activity that can bring the whole family together. And around Halloween, baking in the kitchen is even more fun because homeowners can experiment with new ideas and creative decorations. 

A few Halloween-themed baking ideas for this year are: 

  • Eye Ball Cake Pops: Make cake pops and decorate them to look like bloodshot eyeballs
  • Cupcakes: Make cupcakes and decorate them with spiders and monsters 
  • Mummy Macaroons: Decorate the macaroons to look like mummies 
  • Vampire Cookie Sandwiches: Take a cookie and split it in half. Place red icing and small marshmallows on the bottom and put the top half of the cookie on top. Place a toothpick piece for the sharp vampire teeth. 

Whatever Halloween baking treats homeowners decide to make, it is best done with a garbage disposal in the home. Garbage disposals make everything easier when cooking and cleaning up the kitchen but even more so when someone is experimenting with new recipes. The last thing homeowners want to think about when experimenting in the kitchen is cleaning up afterward. 

A garbage disposal helps homeowners clean up as they go! 

Scary Movies Are Always Necessary movie

When homeowners finish baking their Halloween treats, they can finish them off with a scary movie! If homeowners are watching the movie with kids, there are plenty of Halloween-themed movies out there that aren’t scary and perfect for the whole family! 

Here are a few movies to consider: 

  • Halloweentown
  • Halloween
  • Hocus Pocus
  • Casper
  • Ghostbusters
  • Insidious 
  • Us
  • Get Out 

There’s nothing like watching a movie after making awesome Halloween treats in the kitchen! 

Make Sure Your Plumbing Is Party-Ready

Lastly, throwing a Halloween party is the ultimate way to spend Halloween. Getting friends together to celebrate the occasion can make memories that the homeowner will never forget. 

Of course, they must make sure their kitchen and bathroom plumbing is ready for a party. There’s nothing worse than having a kitchen sink or bathroom sink that slowly drains or even a clogged toilet the night of a party. It makes it nearly impossible to have a party at that point. 

Call a professional today to ensure the home doesn’t need a toilet repair or some other plumbing service before the big night! 

Apple Valley Plumbing Company Keeps Families Safe

There’s no need to worry when the professionals at Apple Valley Plumbing Company are around. They always make sure their Apple Valley, MN customers have the best plumbing care and their system works efficiently all year round. Whether it is plumbing maintenance, repairs, or replacements, they can do it all! It’s the time homeowners called to get plumbing service!