The holidays hit hard in Lethbridge — more guests, more cooking, more showers, more dishes, and a whole lot more stress on your plumbing and heating systems. A little prep now saves you from emergency calls when everything is frozen, leaking, or backing up.
Here’s a simple checklist to help your home stay problem-free this season.
1. Check Your Furnace Before the Coldest Weeks Hit
December cold snaps in Southern Alberta can be brutal. Make sure your furnace is ready:
- Replace or clean your furnace filter
- Check for strange noises or smells
- Look for inconsistent room temperatures
- Confirm your thermostat is calibrated
If anything feels “off,” book a quick tune-up. Small furnace issues turn into major failures when guests arrive and temperatures drop.
2. Protect Your Drains From Holiday Abuse
More cooking = more grease, more food scraps, and more clogged kitchen drains.
Do NOT put this down the sink:
- Grease or fat
- Potato peels
- Pasta
- Coffee grounds
- Bones or eggshells
Run hot water for 15–20 seconds after every use and use a strainer. If your sink is already draining slowly, get it cleared before guests arrive.
3. Prep Your Hot Water Tank for Heavy Usage
Families + showers + holiday hosting = hot water disappearing fast.
Quick checks:
- Test the hot water recovery time
- Drain a few litres from the tank to remove sediment
- Check for rust marks or moisture at the base
- Make sure the temperature is safe (49–54°C)
If your tank is more than 10–12 years old, December is the month they fail. Get ahead of it.
4. Protect Pipes From Freezing During Cold Streaks
Lethbridge wind + extreme cold = frozen lines and burst pipes.
- Insulate exposed pipes
- Keep cabinet doors open under sinks
- Let taps drip on extreme nights
- Never turn your heat off when you leave town
If you’ll be away for the holidays, consider a quick home check before you leave.
5. Know When to Call a Professional
If you see any of these, don’t wait:
- Water around your tank
- Sewer smell
- Furnace shutting off randomly
- Slow drains in multiple fixtures
- No hot water or inconsistent temperatures
Top Notch Mechanical is available throughout December to keep homes running smoothly.