Thanksgiving Plumbing Tips: How You Can Prevent Holiday Disasters
As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, thoughts turn to the upcoming holiday season. Labor Day turns into Halloween’s spooky fun, and that gives way to Thanksgiving’s warmth and cheer. This beloved holiday brings families together around tables laden with delicious food. But while you’re savoring turkey and pumpkin pie, your plumbing system faces its own feast of potential problems.
All that food prep and cleanup puts extra strain on pipes and fixtures, and if you’re not careful, you might end up with a mess much bigger than just some extra food scattered across the dinner table. With a little forethought, though, you can help your plumbing handle the Thanksgiving rush.
Keep Your Garbage Disposal Happy
Your garbage disposal works overtime during Thanksgiving prep. To keep it grinding smoothly, you’ve got to remember it’s not a trash can. Avoid tossing in fibrous or starchy foods like celery, potato peels, or pasta. These can wrap around the blades or form a gluey mess. Instead, scrape plates into the compost pile or trash before rinsing. Run cold water before, during, and after using the disposal to flush food particles away. If your disposal starts to smell, grind up some lemon peels for a fresh scent. With proper care, your disposal will power through the holiday without a hiccup.
Don’t Let FOG Clog Your Pipes
FOG stands for fats, oils, and grease — common cooking byproducts that spell trouble for plumbing. As these substances cool, they solidify and stick to pipe walls. Over time, this buildup narrows pipes and traps other debris, leading to clogs. After cooking your Thanksgiving feast, resist the urge to pour pan drippings down the drain. Instead, let them cool and toss them in the trash. Wipe greasy pots and pans with paper towels before washing. These small changes in your cleanup routine can prevent big headaches down the line.
Mind What Goes Down the Toilet
With extra guests in the house, your toilets see more action than usual. Remind visitors that only toilet paper should be flushed. Even products labeled “flushable” can cause problems. Keep a small trash can in the bathroom for disposing of:
- Wet wipes
- Cotton balls
- Paper towels
- Feminine hygiene products
These items don’t break down like toilet paper and can snag in pipes or tangle up with other debris. A gentle reminder to guests helps avoid embarrassing and potentially expensive clogs.
Prep Your Water Heater for Increased Demand
From extra showers to piles of dishes, your water heater works hard during the holidays. Give it a helping hand by flushing it before guests arrive. This provides more hot water without overworking the system.
If your water heater is over 10 years old, a pre-holiday tune-up can catch any developing issues. Nobody wants to wake up to cold showers on Thanksgiving morning!
Clear Slow Drains Before They Become Big Clogs
That sluggish bathroom sink may seem like a minor annoyance, but it could turn into a major problem under the strain of holiday use. Before guests arrive, clear partially clogged drains with a plunger or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. For stubborn clogs, try a drain snake. Avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners, which can damage pipes and create toxic fumes. Taking care of slow drains now prevents frantic calls to an emergency plumber later.
Protect Your Pipes from Freezing
If you live in a colder climate like Minnesota, Thanksgiving can bring freezing temperatures. Frozen pipes can burst, causing extensive water damage. Before the mercury drops, disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Close interior valves supplying outdoor faucets, then open the outside faucets to let any remaining water drain. Consider insulating pipes in unheated areas like basements, attics, or crawl spaces. A little prevention goes a long way in avoiding burst pipes and flooded floors.
Show Your Sewer Line Some Love
While often out of sight and mind, your main sewer line plays a crucial role in your home’s plumbing health. Tree roots seeking water can infiltrate and block these lines, especially in older homes. If you’ve noticed gurgling sounds, slow drains throughout the house, or sewage odors, consider a professional inspection before holiday guests arrive. A plumber can check for blockages or damage, potentially saving you from a messy and expensive backup.
Be Mindful of Your Dishwasher’s Limits
With all the extra plates and glasses from your Thanksgiving feast, you might be tempted to overload the dishwasher. Resist this urge! Overloading can lead to poor cleaning performance and even damage the appliance. Scrape dishes thoroughly before loading to prevent food particles from clogging the drain. Run your dishwasher through an empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar to freshen it up before the big day. This simple step helps eliminate odors and remove any buildup, ensuring your dishes come out sparkling clean.
Work With Connors Today and Prepare Your Plumbing Systems!
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, plumbing problems still crop up. Connors Plumbing, Heating and Air brings a full range of plumbing repairs and services to keep your home running smoothly through the holiday season and beyond. We can fix leaky pipes and provide other bathroom plumbing and kitchen plumbing services to help protect the most used areas during Thanksgiving and the holiday season. Give us a call today! We’re here to serve the Waseca, MN, region when you need us most.
