Thanksgiving is supposed to be about celebrating our blessings with loved ones.
Unfortunately, it’s also a time when plumbing problems often show up as unwanted guests. Many plumbers report a 50% increase in service calls on the day after Thanksgiving and a 27% increase for Thanksgiving weekend as a whole.
If you have a plumbing emergency, contact Elite Renovations & Design right away at 417-708-8393.
There are also things you can do to prevent future drain clogs, so your next holiday gathering isn’t spoiled by an inconvenient mess.
#1: Know what not to put down the garbage disposal.
Disposals are designed for small quantities of food scraps, not large pieces of food. Here are some things to keep in mind when it’s time to do the dishes.
- Never pour grease and fats down the disposal. They will solidify and block the pipes. Instead, wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing them.
- Potato and onion peels are another common offender plumbers often see during Thanksgiving service calls. Throw them away instead of putting them down the sink.
- Similar no-no’s include fruit, vegetable and poultry skins, dressing, pumpkin pulp, rice and pasta.
- Fibrous, stringy food waste will also cause problems. Examples here include vegetables like celery and meat products.
- Finally, disposal blades are not designed to handle hard items like bones or utensils.
#2: Brush up on how to use the garbage disposal.
Using the disposal properly is just as important as knowing what not to put in it. Here are some ways to avoid problems.
- Run cold water for 15 seconds before and after running the disposal to move waste down the pipe more easily.
- Start running the disposal before adding food waste.
- Run the disposal as you wash the dishes, so it only has to handle a small amount of debris at a time. Don’t wait until it’s completely full.
#3: Space out heavy-duty water usage.
Having more people in the house can also mean more strain on your plumbing system. Plan ahead to avoid running water-heavy activities at the same time.
- If you have overnight guests, wait about 10 minutes between showers. This allows the drains to clear out.
- Run dishwashers and washing machines overnight or early in the morning when people aren’t taking showers. This helps you maintain adequate water pressure.
#4: Know what not to flush down the toilet.
There are several items that should simply be thrown away instead of flushed. Here are a few examples.
- Food scraps: They will clog your toilet just as easily as they do the kitchen disposal.
- Cotton balls
- Cotton swabs
- Hair
- Scrubbing pads
- Wet wipes
Also, having more people using the restroom than usual can put extra stress on the plumbing. Include a plunger in every bathroom to save guests the embarrassment of having to ask for one.
If you need quick, reliable plumbing service on Thanksgiving or any other time, contact Elite Renovations at 417-708-8393.
