Why December Is the Right Time for a Plumbing Checkup

As 2021 winds down, it is natural to think about what needs attention before the new year. Your plumbing probably is not at the top of that list — but it should be. A year of daily use takes a toll on water heaters, drains, fixtures, and pipes. Small issues that developed throughout the year are now a year closer to becoming big problems. And with seasonal residents returning to Bradenton for the winter, homes that have been sitting empty for months need special attention.

At Rosco Plumbing, we see a spike in plumbing emergencies every January. Pipes that slowly deteriorated through 2021 finally fail under the increased usage of holiday gatherings. Water heaters that were borderline all year give out when the house is full of guests. Drains that were barely keeping up clog completely. A year-end plumbing checkup addresses these vulnerabilities before they ruin your holidays or your new year.

Check Your Water Heater Before Guests Arrive

If you are hosting family or friends for the holidays, your water heater is about to handle its heaviest demand of the year. Extra showers, extra loads of dishes, extra laundry — all of that puts your water heater under stress. If your unit has been showing any signs of weakness — lukewarm water, slow recovery time, strange noises, or visible corrosion — address them now rather than in the middle of a holiday gathering.

Flush the tank to remove sediment, which improves heating efficiency and capacity. Check the temperature setting (120 degrees is ideal). Look at the area around the base for any signs of moisture. If your water heater is older than 10 years, this is a good time to start a conversation about replacement. As we have discussed throughout 2021, supply chain delays have made water heater replacements a longer process than usual — planning ahead continues to be the smart move.

Give Your Drains Some Year-End Attention

A year of daily use — cooking, bathing, washing — leaves your drains carrying accumulated buildup of grease, soap residue, hair, and mineral deposits. Drains that are flowing fine today may be closer to a blockage than you think. Holiday cooking, with its increased grease, starch, and food waste, often pushes marginal drains over the edge.

Our recommendation: have your kitchen drain professionally cleaned before the holidays. A cable cleaning or hydro-jetting clears the accumulated buildup and gives your drain a fresh start. For bathroom drains, remove the stopper from each sink and shower drain, clear any hair and debris, and test the drain speed. If any drain is noticeably slow, schedule a cleaning before it becomes a complete blockage at the worst possible time.

Rosco's Tip

Rosco's Tip: Holiday Kitchen Drain Protection

During holiday cooking, keep a jar or can next to the stove for grease. When you are done cooking, pour cooled grease into the container instead of the drain. This one habit prevents more holiday kitchen clogs than any other measure. Also, never put turkey or ham bones, potato peels, celery, or corn husks in the garbage disposal — they are responsible for the majority of holiday disposal jams.

Seasonal Residents: Reopening Your Home's Plumbing

If you are returning to your Bradenton home after spending the summer up north, take time to properly restart your plumbing system. If you followed our shutdown guide (or a similar process), your water supply has been turned off for months. Turn it back on slowly — open the main shutoff valve partially and walk through the house checking for leaks at every fixture, under every sink, and around the water heater.

Run water through every drain for several minutes to refill P-traps and flush out any stale water in the pipes. Turn your water heater back on and allow it to fully heat before using hot water — this usually takes 30 to 60 minutes for a tank-style unit. Check all toilet connections and flush each toilet multiple times. Inspect your washing machine hoses and dishwasher connections before running a load.

If anything seems off — low pressure, discolored water, a leak you did not have when you left, unusual sounds — call a plumber before you settle in. Rosco Plumbing offers seasonal startup inspections specifically for returning snowbirds. We will go through everything systematically so you can relax and enjoy being back in Manatee County.

Review the Year: What Did Your Plumbing Tell You?

Take a moment to think back over 2021. Did you have any plumbing issues — even minor ones — that you dealt with temporarily but never fully resolved? A toilet that runs occasionally. A faucet that drips. A drain that is slower than it used to be. A water heater that seems less reliable. These lingering issues are worth addressing now, before they compound in 2022.

The plumbing supply chain challenges of 2021 are expected to continue into at least the first half of 2022. If any of your fixtures or appliances are nearing the end of their useful life, starting the replacement conversation now gives you the best chance of getting the products you want at a reasonable price and on a timeline that works for you. At Rosco Plumbing, we are always happy to do a whole-home assessment and help you prioritize what needs attention now versus what can wait.

2021 has been another year of challenges — from supply chain disruptions to the ongoing housing boom to continued pandemic-era plumbing habits. But through it all, your plumbing has been working hard for you every single day. Giving it some year-end attention — a water heater flush, a drain cleaning, a quick inspection of fixtures and connections — is a small investment that pays off in reliability, efficiency, and peace of mind heading into 2022. Call Rosco Plumbing at (941) 345-2464 to schedule your year-end plumbing checkup. We have been closing out the year alongside Bradenton families since 1983, and we look forward to serving you in the year ahead.

End-of-Year Plumbing Maintenance: Close Out 2021 with Confidence