Thanksgiving in South Arkansas is an exceptional time: with lots of relatives and friends visiting, the typical food staples, and, let's be honest, a little bit of chaos. Heavy kitchen use, unpredictable weather, and unexpected plumbing issues may make the reunion disastrous. If you are worried about a leak or a flood during dinner ruining your gathering, then guess what? We have something for you.
With over 50 years of combined experience, we at Restore-It have helped South Arkansas families recover from water damage, including during the holidays when no one expects it. We know how hard it is to juggle holiday preparations while dealing with an unexpected water problem, and we're here to ensure you're prepared.
This article will highlight key areas to watch out for this Thanksgiving to avoid water damage headaches. With our tips, you'll be armed with the knowledge to protect your home and keep your holiday stress-free.
1. Check for water damage signs
When looking for potential water damage in your home, focus on visible signs. Things like water stains on ceilings and walls, moist areas, peeling paint, musty or moldy odors, sagging ceilings, and blistering paint are signals that there might be a leaking pipe in your home.
2. Make sure the plumbing is under control
If you are thinking about waiting until the holidays are over to fix plumbing or drain issues, think again. Contact a professional plumber to check for clogged drains or leaky toilets and to do general maintenance. Remember to check your water heater as well. Scheduling repairs ahead of the festivities will save you from future headaches.
3. Don't let toilet clogs ruin your Thanksgiving
With a sudden influx of guests, the chances of accidents happening in the restroom increase. To avoid embarrassing situations, keep a trash can next to the toilet so your guests can throw anything that doesn't go into the toilet. For extra precaution, leave a toilet plunger in your guest bathroom.
4. Avoid kitchen floods
During Thanksgiving, the kitchen becomes the protagonist of the house. Between washing vegetables, using the dishwasher non-stop, and boiling everything from sweet potatoes to gravy, your plumbing will be under extra stress. Watch out for what goes down there to avoid a clogged drain or an overflowing sink.
As Southern tradition dictates, this holiday is the season for cooking rich, hearty meals full of grease, oil, and starches, which are the prime culprits of clogging. Kitchen sink strainers are great for catching food scraps; you can find good ones under $10. Another tip is to avoid putting fats down the drain. Finally, get a cup-style plunger under your sink in an emergency.
5. Check your kitchen appliances
Thanksgiving is pretty much like the Super Bowl for kitchen appliances; they must work overtime to keep up. Dishwashers, fridges, and washing machines are all potential sources of water damage. To avoid a disaster on your kitchen floor, take some time before Thanksgiving to check your appliances.
Watch for leaks and ensure all hoses are correctly attached. Also, avoid overcrowding your dishwasher: running an extra cycle takes less time than dealing with a wet mess in your kitchen. Finally, ensure the garbage disposal functions properly by running hot water for a few seconds before putting food debris in it and letting the water run for a minute after to avoid clogs.
6. Look out for frozen pipes
November in South Arkansas brings cooler temperatures; with that, we get sudden cold snaps. While our winters are not as harsh as the ones up north, frozen pipes can burst and turn your home into a soggy mess. The key to avoiding this scenario is to be prepared. The American Red Cross has a list of tips to deal to prevent this situation:
Before the onset of cold weather
- Drain all outdoor pipes, including the water from swimming pools and sprinklers.
- Remove, drain, and store outdoor hoses.
- Add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
- Insulate water supply lines located in unheated areas.
- Use products like a "pipe sleeve" or install "heat tape," "heat cable," or similar materials on exposed water pipes.
- If needed, consider relocating exposed pipes indoors.
Tips for preventing frozen pipes
- If you have water supply lines inside, keep garage doors closed.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air into the plumbing.
- Let faucets drip during extreme cold.
- Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during the day and night.
- When away, leave the heat on at no less than 55°F.
Thawing frozen pipes
- Keep faucets open.
- Apply heat using a heating pad, hair dryer, or hot water-soaked towels.
- Avoid using open flames.
- Call a plumber if needed.
- Always check for other frozen pipes throughout the home.
While following these tips may be time-consuming, it's better than waking up to a brand-new indoor skating rink.
7. Check your crawl space, just in case
While the fall months in South Arkansas are considerably dryer than during the summer, it's never wrong to be extra cautious. While moisture shouldn't be a problem, a quick check before Thanksgiving can address any concerns. Look for any signs of hidden leaks or humidity, like mold. If this is your case, you should contact professional crawlspace encapsulation services to get peace of mind so you can focus on spending time with your family.
8. Clean your home's gutters before Thanksgiving
With a feast on the horizon, you might be tempted to kick back and relax. But with autumn in full swing, leaves and debris can clog your gutters. If you combine this with rain, water can easily overflow and seep into your house. Should you get to that point, you must contact professional water damage restoration services. All of this can be avoided by taking a few minutes to ensure your gutters are clean.
9. Don't forget your basement
Now, we know that basements are less common in South Arkansas than in other parts of the country, but if you have one, you should be mindful of water damage risks. Basements are prone to leaks even when dry if there's poor drainage around your home. Rainfall and clogged gutters (see why we insisted on keeping them clean?) can lead to water seeping into the basement. This can become the perfect environment for mold and even damage your home's foundation. Just as we recommended with your crawl space, check for any damp areas and take action before it's too late. If water intrusion has happened and the damage is done, consult a professional water restoration service.
10. Don't let water damage ruin your Thanksgiving
The thing about water damage, whether it comes from a leaking pipe or an intrusion from rainfall, is that the longer it sets, the more damage it causes. Stop the water flow and try to dry the area when you get a water incident. We have a handy article about what to do if you find yourself in this situation. Of course, in the worst scenario, we recommend you get professional water damage restoration services.
As you can see, water damage can easily sneak up on you if you overlook the warning signs. Whether it's a leaky appliance, a clogged gutter, or hidden moisture in your basement, preventing water damage can save you from a holiday disaster. You've learned how to spot the signs and take action, but should things get out of hand, we at Restore-It are here to help. If you're in South Arkansas and worried about water damage spoiling your Thanksgiving, don't wait—call us, and we'll make sure your home gets ready for the festivities.
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