Holiday season will be here before we know it, and that means that you’ll soon be welcoming guests to your Airbnb property! While you want to look being best as an Airbnb host, you should also ensure that your plumbing can handle the extra wear and tear of being used by multiple people over the course of several days or even weeks.
In addition to keeping your guests happy, taking steps to ensure that your plumbing system works well can also save you money on expensive repairs during high-traffic times of year like holiday season or summer vacation season.
Here are some simple maintenance steps that can help you make sure the pipes in your Airbnb property are running smoothly through the holidays and beyond.
Also Read: Top Ten Plumbing Fixes You Can Do Yourself
Clear Your Bathtub or shower Drain
The drain in your bathtub or showerhead can become slow because of the build-up of hair, soap, shampoo residue, or toothpaste. These by-products can take a hard toll on both bathtub and shower drains. You can try to test the speed of draining by running the faucets on for a few minutes and see if it drains as usual or are bit slow in the process.
You can obviously prevent or remove clogs with drain covers or using a hanger for fishing out the visible debris. It’s important to use because these slow drains are a major nuisance that are a sign that your drainpipes need attention.
The best way to clear a bathtub drain is by using a plunger. If you have one, it’s as simple as placing the plunger over the drain and applying pressure. You may need to do this for about five minutes before you see any results. If not, then try using boiling water or pouring vinegar down the drain.
Also read: PEX Plumbing vs. Copper Plumbing Which is better for your home
Clear Your Slow Draining Kitchen and Bath drains
Kitchen and bath drains often become clogged with food particles and hair, so it’s important to clear them on a regular basis. You can obviously use simple mixture of vinegar and baking soda or try one of enzyme-based drain cleaner. But expert plumbers don’t recommend using acid-based harsh chemicals that may be useful in short term but can cause damage over the course of time.
One way to do this is by pouring one cup of baking soda down the drain followed by an eight ounce cup of vinegar. The chemical reaction will cause the sink or tub to bubble up and loosen the clog. After waiting a few minutes, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain and flush it with cold water.
Also Read: Essential Tools for your every DIY Plumbing Job
Clear Your Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal is one of the most important appliances in your Airbnb property. It’s what makes it possible for you to quickly and easily get rid of food wastes, leftovers, and other unwanted items from the kitchen.
But there are many things that can go wrong with a garbage disposal. They can be clogged with food wastes or grease, corroded or damaged by rust or hard water deposits, or faulty due to a manufacturing defect or improper installation. The guests you host may put down every leftover food they have while on their stay. So, its likely go get clogged every now and then.
To help you keep your garbage disposal in good condition before the start of the holiday season, follow the simple steps of clearing the garbage disposal. Just pour one cup of white vinegar into the drain and allow it to sit for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Afterwards, flush the drain completely with hot water for 1 to 2 minutes. The vinegar and hot water will eliminate the grease built-up and help avoiding clogs. You can also prevent a clogged garbage disposal by installing a new drain strainer on the kitchen sink.
Preventive Maintenance for Water Heaters
Preventive maintenance for water heaters allow you to detect any signs of potential problems and address them before they become a major issue. One way to inspect the water heater is by opening the access panel on top of it. Once the panel is opened, check for corrosion on the heat exchanger tubes inside, as well as clogs in the drain line or sediment accumulation in the bottom. If you find anything out of order, make sure to contact a plumber immediately for repairs.
Take care of the Outdoor Water Fixtures
Fixtures like the outdoor spigot and hose bibbs should be checked for leaks and cleared of any debris that could interfere with their operation. Inspect the spigot for signs of wear or other damage that could lead to a leak and replace if necessary.
If you have a hose bibb, check it for kinks or leaks by applying pressure from both ends. If it’s leaking, tighten it up or replace as needed. Finally, make sure the exterior faucet is in good working order before winter sets in so you can easily access water outside without having to go inside first.
Replacing a faulty plumbing fixture
Replacing a faulty plumbing fixture before the holiday season is a wise choice because it can save you money and time in the long run. If you’ve noticed that your toilet is running, if water won’t stop flowing, or if there’s water leaking on your bathroom floor, then it’s probably time to replace your faulty fixture.
Leaving those issues unchecked can lead to more expensive plumbing repairs down the road. To avoid this problem altogether, call a professional today and set up an appointment for them to come out and replace your leaky or broken plumbing fixtures with new ones.
The bottom line
Holidays are the time to celebrate with family, friends and loved ones, but they’re also the time that many people choose to spend lots of time in Airbnb properties. If you want to ensure that your Airbnb guests have an excellent experience in your property, don’t forget about taking simple preventive maintenance steps before the holiday season hits full swing!
Being an Airbnb host, you are likely in the midst of preparing your property for holiday season. One aspect of ensuring that your guests have an excellent experience in your home is to provide them with a well-functioning plumbing system free of leaks, clogs and other issues.
