Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and feasting. If you’re the one hosting this year, your home’s plumbing will be put to the test. With large meals and extra guests, your drains will be working overtime. To keep your holiday stress-free and clog-free, it’s important to prepare your plumbing in advance. Here’s how to ensure your drains are ready for the festivities:
- Clean Your Drains Before Guests Arrive: Before your guests arrive, give your drains a thorough cleaning. Run hot water through each drain for several minutes to help dissolve any buildup in the pipes. This simple task can significantly reduce the risk of clogs when your kitchen is bustling with activity. If you’re facing persistent drain issues, consider our affordable drain cleaning services.
- Say No to Pouring Fats and Oils Down the Drain: It’s tempting to pour leftover cooking oils and fats down the sink, but this can lead to serious plumbing problems. Instead, collect these substances in a container and throw them in the trash. Check if your local recycling center accepts used cooking oil for safe disposal.
- Utilize Sink Strainers: Placing strainers in your kitchen and bathroom sinks can help catch food particles and debris before they enter your plumbing. Make sure to empty the strainers regularly to keep water flowing smoothly.
- Tips to Share with Your Guests: Help your guests understand how to treat your plumbing with care. Encourage them to flush only toilet paper and to dispose of items like paper towels, wipes, and feminine hygiene products in the trash.
- Schedule a Pre-Holiday Plumbing Inspection: If you have any concerns about your plumbing system, consider scheduling a pre-holiday inspection with a professional plumber. They can identify and address potential issues before they turn into emergencies. Schedule your appointment today!
- Keep a Plunger Accessible: Accidents can happen, so it’s wise to keep a plunger handy for quick fixes in case of clogs in toilets or sinks. For additional tips on managing a clogged toilet, check out our guide on how to unclog a toilet.
- Plan Shower Schedules: With a full house, coordinating shower times can help alleviate pressure on your water heater and plumbing. Encourage guests to take shorter showers and spread them out throughout the day.
- Properly Dispose of Food Scraps: After meals, scrape food scraps into the trash rather than washing them down the sink. Excess food particles can accumulate in the pipes, leading to clogs.
- Give Your Dishwasher Some Attention: Before running your dishwasher, make sure it’s not overloaded and that dishes are adequately scraped clean. Overloading can lead to poor drainage and potential backups.
