Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters

Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters

It is Christmas again, and most are in their most festive mood, preparing for the most wonderful time of the year. (Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters)

However, dreaming of a white Christmas, we tend to forget about safety.

For example, water damage from a burst pipe, an overflowing toilet, or a leaky faucet can be overlooked and become a full-blown Christmas disaster if addressed after some time.

So if you want to avoid your yuletide celebration being disrupted, you must ensure everything in your home is in perfect order.

This article is about finding out the most common causes of Christmas water disasters so that you know how to avoid them and what to do when encountering them. (Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters)

Disastrous Christmas due to water disasters

Below are common causes of water disasters during the Christmas holidays.

Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters

1. Christmas Tree

Having a Christmas tree in the house is a must during the holidays, but no one can deny that it is a fire hazard.

Thus, homeowners must take necessary precautions to avoid any possible domestic disaster like house fire and water damage that may result from extinguishing the fire.

Another possible cause of water damage in homes is watering your Christmas tree. Yes, this is a necessary safety measure to reduce the tree’s fire risk, but if done incorrectly, it can lead to water damage to the property.

So keep this in mind while watering the tree. (Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters)

2. Frozen Pipes

While snow-covered streets, rooftops, and leaves around you may seem lovely, the subzero temperatures that come with snow can wreak havoc in the home. One such problem that can arise from cold weather is frozen pipes.

Water flowing through your plumbing can freeze, crack, or even burst pipes, leading to leaks and other problems. And most of the time, you’ll only know about the problem once it starts to thaw as the weather turns. (Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters)

• Sewage Backup

The Christmas season is often a time to host parties or invite relatives to spend the holidays with you. When multiple people use the toilet and sink in your home, it increases the potential for a water disaster, including sewage backup.

That’s why you should ensure that your home is furnished and ready to handle foot traffic, especially your toilet and sink before you welcome guests. (Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters)

4. Water Toys

Children love Christmas not only because of the festive mood but also because of the excitement and anticipation of receiving new toys from Santa. One popular gift that kids love is water toys, which can spell disaster for you.

For example, water guns may seem safe and harmless, but children can sometimes be careless and splash water on electrical equipment.

Another potential danger is when children leave water toys on the floor with water leaking everywhere, creating a slippery area or even mold growth on the carpet if it goes unnoticed. (Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters)

5. Fire

With Christmas decorations come many fire hazards in your home. If a fire breaks out, be it small or big, water is needed to extinguish it, eventually leading to water damage. In severe cases, you will need the assistance of a professional restoration company to help you fix the problem. (Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters)

6. Old Appliances

Washing machines, dishwashers, and other water-dependent appliances should be checked regularly, but if they’re too old, you should consider replacing them. This is especially important during Christmas when these household appliances work harder than usual. (Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters)

• Rain Gutters

Rain gutters are an important part of your roof. This helps divert water away from your property. However, the season’s subzero temperatures can wreak havoc on your gutters, especially after a heavy snowfall. Snow that collects on your gutters can be very heavy and eventually damage them. (Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters)

8. Water valve

Are you planning to go on a holiday trip with your family? Make sure you turn off the water supply valve before you leave. This is to ensure that when you return home from your trip, you will not have any water damage due to leaks that may have occurred while you were away. (Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters)

9. Fish Tank

If you are planning to get your kids a pet fish this Christmas, it is best to choose the fish bowl/tank carefully, making sure it does not have any leaks. If not taken care of, even a small leak can turn into a big problem.

To test for leaks, fill it with water and leave them in your bathtub or sink overnight. If the water drops the next day significantly, there is a leak in the tank/bowl. (Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters)

How to have a disaster-free Christmas

Follow the tips below to help prevent a Christmas disaster in your home when you celebrate the holidays.

1. Check Your Plumbing

While it may not be possible to inspect every inch of your property’s piping system, it is recommended that you check as much as possible. Special attention should be paid to older pipes already showing signs of decay.

Not only water in your pipes can cause you holiday problems. Roof gutters carry rainwater away from your home and into drains. If there is a blockage in the gutters, water from the roof will not effectively drain away from your property. (Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters)

2. Insulate Pipes

Insulation is a simple yet effective defense against the dangers of freezing temperatures and is especially helpful for pipes, hoses, and faucets outside the home. Water freezes in your pipes and expands during the winter.

This creates pressure in the pipes, which can cause them to burst. It’s also a good idea to remove any pipes that run between walls or on your property and seal them to prevent cold air from entering. (Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters)

3. Max out your heater

Please make the most of internal heat from your fireplace or radiator by warming your pipes, preventing them from freezing in cold weather. You can open your kitchen cabinet doors to allow heat to reach the uninsulated pipes under your kitchen sink. (Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters)

4. Ask for help

It’s best to have a backup plan when you’re going on Christmas vacation. Even if your home was thoroughly inspected before you moved in, you should ask a trusted neighbor or friend to check your home from time to time.

Any water leakage or clogged gutters should be duly noted and repaired if possible. Alternatively, you can hire someone to stay at your house full-time to prevent Christmas disasters.

Important achievements

Christmas is known as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” for a reason. The festive atmosphere all around will bring happiness to everyone’s heart.

However, as a homeowner, you shouldn’t be complacent during the holidays, especially since you’ll be putting up Christmas trees, lights, and decorations—all of which are fire hazards.

Other potential problems during the yuletide season include frozen pipes, damaged rain gutters, sewage backups, and more.

Like all other holidays, Christmas can be best enjoyed when you know that you and your family are completely safe. This can be achieved by taking precautions before and during the festival to avoid disaster.

We hope you like our article on Disastrous Christmas due to Water Disasters.

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