It’s Christmas time once again, and most are in their most festive mood while preparing for the most wonderful time of the year. However, while dreaming of a white Christmas, we tend to forget about safety. For instance, water damage from a burst pipe, an overflowing toilet, or a leaky tap might be overlooked and can quickly turn into a full-blown Christmas disaster if not addressed immediately.
That’s why if you don’t want your Yuletide festivities disrupted, you have to make sure everything in your home is in perfect order. This article is all about knowing the most common causes of Christmas water disasters so that you’ll know how to avoid them and what you should do if faced with these problems.
Causes of Christmas Water Disasters
Below are the common reasons a water disaster can occur during the Christmas holidays.
1. Christmas Trees
While putting up a Christmas tree at home is a must during the holidays, no one can deny that it’s a fire hazard. Thus, homeowners will have to take necessary precautions to avoid any possible home disasters like a house fire and the water damage that will result from putting out the fire.
Another possible cause of water damage in homes is watering your Christmas tree. Yes, it is a necessary safety measure to make the tree less of a fire hazard, but if done incorrectly, it could result in water damage to the property. So keep this in mind when you’re watering the tree.
2. Frozen Pipes
While the snow-blanketed streets, roofs, and foliage around you may look lovely and all, the subzero temperature that comes with the snow can spell disaster at home. One such problem that can arise from the chilly weather is frozen pipes. The water flowing through your plumbing can freeze and crack or even burst the pipes, causing leaks and other plumbing problems. And most of the time, you will only find out about the problem once it starts to thaw as the season changes.
3. Sewage Backup
The Christmas season is often the time for hosting parties or inviting relatives over to spend the holidays with you. When too many people use the toilets and sinks in your home, it increases the chance of water disasters, including sewage backup. So you should ensure your home is equipped and prepared to handle increased foot traffic, especially your toilets and sinks, before welcoming guests into your home.
4. Water Toys
Kids love Christmas not just because of the overall festive mood but with the excitement and anticipation of receiving new toys from Santa. One popular gift that children love is water toys, which can spell disaster for you. Water guns, for instance, may seem safe and harmless, but kids can sometimes be reckless and spray water on an electrical appliance. Another potential hazard is when kids just leave water toys on the floor with the water leaking everywhere, creating a slippery area or even mold growth on the carpet if it goes unnoticed.
5. Fires
With Christmas decorations come several fire hazards in your home. If a fire erupts, regardless if it’s a small or a big one, putting it out requires water, which will eventually cause water damage. In severe cases, you will need the help of a professional mitigation company to help you resolve the problem.
6. Old Appliances
Washing machines, dishwashers, and other water-dependent appliances should regularly be checked, but if they are too old, you should consider replacing them. This is particularly crucial during Christmas when these home appliances work harder than usual.
7. Rain Gutters
Rain gutters are a vital part of your roof. It helps divert water away from your property. However, the season’s subzero temperatures can wreak havoc on your gutters, especially after a heavy snowfall. The snow collecting on your gutters can become too heavy and eventually damage them.
8. Water Valves
Are you planning to go on a holiday trip with your family? Make sure that you turn off the water supply valve before you leave. This is to ensure that when you come home from your trip, you won’t find any water damage caused by a leak that may have sprung while you’re away.
9. Fish Tanks
If you’re planning to give your kids a pet fish this Christmas, it’s best to choose a fish bowl/tank carefully, ensuring it has no leaks. Even a small leak could become a big problem if the leak goes unnoticed. To check for leaks, fill it up with water and place them in your bathtub or sink overnight. If the water recedes significantly the following day, the tank/bowl has a leak.
How To Have a Disaster-Free Christmas
Follow the tips below to help prevent a Christmas disaster in your home as you celebrate the holidays.
1. Check Your Plumbing
While it might not be possible to inspect every inch of your property’s piping system, it is recommended that you examine as much as possible. Particular attention should be given to old pipes which could already be showing signs of decay.
It’s not only the water in your pipes that can cause you holiday problems. Rainwater is usually channeled away from your home and into the drains by roof gutters. If there is any blockage in the gutter, water from the roof won’t be diverted effectively away from your property.
2. Insulate the Pipes
Insulation is a simple but effective defense against the dangers of freezing temperatures and is particularly helpful for pipes, hoses, and faucets outside the house. Water freezes in your pipes and expands during winter. This produces pressure in the pipes that can lead to bursting. It’s also a good idea to drain the pipes that run between walls or into your property and seal them to stop cold air from entering.
3. Maximize Your Heaters
Make the most of the interior heat from your fireplace or radiator by warming your pipes, preventing them from freezing throughout the cold season. You can do this by opening your kitchen cabinet doors so the heat can get to the uninsulated pipes underneath your kitchen sink.
4. Ask for Help
It’s best to have a backup plan when you’re going on a Christmas vacation. Even if your home has been thoroughly inspected before you leave, you should ask a trusted neighbor or friend to check on your home from time to time. Any water leak or clogged gutters should be duly noted and repaired if possible. Alternatively, you can have someone stay at your house the whole time you’re away to prevent any Christmas disaster.
Key Takeaway
Christmas is known as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” for a reason. The festive vibe all around will surely bring joy to everyone’s heart. However, as a homeowner, you shouldn’t be careless at all during the holidays, especially since you’ll be putting up Christmas trees, lights, and decorations–all of which are fire hazards. Other potential problems that may arise during the Yuletide season include frozen pipes, damaged rain gutters, sewage backups, and many more.
Like all other holidays, Christmas can be enjoyed best when you know that you and your family are completely safe. This can be achieved by observing caution before and during the celebration so a disaster can be avoided.
Let Deep Water Emergency Services and Mitigation help you after a home disaster.
A disaster can happen at any time of the year, even during Christmas. The best course of action, of course, is prevention. However, disasters can happen even to the best of us – yes, even if we take all the necessary precautions to prevent them from happening.
If you’ve been in such a disastrous scenario at home, you will need the help of the mitigation expert Deep Water Emergency Services and Mitigation. We provide top-notch services, including water, soot, smoke, and fire damage mitigation in Denver, CO. Call us today for any questions or to get a quotation.
