For many families, the holiday season is a time of great joy and celebration. It’s a time when many people spend quality time with their loved ones, enjoy delicious foods, and participate in many festive traditions. Unfortunately, the holiday season is also a time of increased risk for clogged drains and backed up pipes. As you prepare your kitchen for heavy cooking and entertaining during the holiday season, take a few moments to review the ways to protect your plumbing from common causes of clogs and damage. Many homeowners find themselves in need of a local plumber during the holiday season due to clogs that could have been avoided had they taken some simple precautions. In addition to helping you plan ahead to minimize potential issues with your plumbing, knowing which items to keep out of your sink and how to maintain your garbage disposal will likely save you time and money later in the year.

Introduction: The Holiday Season Should Bring Joy, Not A Plumbing Emergency

The holiday season brings many things to our lives including a longer amount of time spent in the kitchen preparing meals for guests, an increase in the number of dishes washed, and an increase in the amount of water used for all of the above. All of these factors combined can create an overwhelming load on your plumbing system. While grease, food scraps, fats and oils appear harmless while warm and flowing freely through your pipes, they cool and become solid and clog your pipes. Rather than having to wait for a local plumber to come and repair the damage caused to your plumbing system, you can avoid this altogether by being aware of what items not to put down your drain.

If you’ve ever found yourself typing “plumbing companies near me” in a state of panic after experiencing a plumbing problem, you’re already familiar with just how time consuming plumbing repairs can be. Fortunately, knowing what not to put down your drain will go a long way in preventing problems with your plumbing.

Body: Keep Your Pipes Clear During Holiday Cooking

Why Holiday Kitchens Cause More Clogs Than Normal Kitchens

The amount of food waste produced by your plumbing system during normal times is significantly less than it is during the preparation of a holiday meal. Turkey grease, potato peels and other types of food waste created during the holiday season can make the kitchen a hazardous place. Food waste going down the garbage disposal can slow down your pipes, form blockages and ultimately cause a backup.

Most homeowners do not realize that garbage disposals are not designed to dispose of every type of food. Although running hot water will help dispose of grease, grease will adhere to the walls of your pipes. Once the grease cools, it will congeal and form a solid blockage. This is one of the most common reasons why people seek the assistance of a local plumber immediately after Thanksgiving.

What Items Should Not Be Put Down The Drain

In order to avoid having to search for plumbing companies near me at the worst possible moment, here are several items you should keep out of your sink:

Turkey grease, fats and oils

Potato peels

Eggshells

Coffee grounds

Bones

Pasta and rice

Stringy vegetables such as celery and onion skins

While the majority of the items listed above may appear to be harmless, they can damage your disposal or cling to the inside of your pipes. Instead, you should scrape your food into the trash or a composting bin.

How To Maintain Your Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal can be very useful, however, it is not invincible. Here are a few tips for using your garbage disposal safely:

Before and after grinding food, run cold water to keep the disposal working properly.

Do not overload your disposal with excessive amounts of food waste.

Cut larger pieces of food into smaller pieces before disposing of them.

Clean your disposal periodically using ice and dish soap to help reduce strain on your plumbing system.

By following the steps above, you’ll be able to keep your disposal operating efficiently, thus reducing the strain on your plumbing system.

When To Contact A Plumber

Although maintaining your garbage disposal and understanding what to and not to put down the drain can greatly reduce the likelihood of a plumbing emergency occurring during the holiday season, it’s not uncommon for problems to arise even with regular maintenance. Therefore, you should contact a plumber as soon as possible if you experience the following:

Drains slowly despite attempts to clean the line.

You detect the presence of sewage or unpleasant odors coming from your sinks.

More than one drain clogs at the same time.

Your disposal continues to jam.

You notice unusual sounds coming from your pipes.

Searching online for plumbing companies near me will provide you with access to plumbers who can assist you with diagnosing the issue and minimizing the damage. Taking action early can help to eliminate the cost of repairing damaged pipes and allow you to focus on celebrating with your loved ones without unnecessary stress.

Conclusion: Have A Happy, Not Stressful, Holiday Season

The holiday season is meant to be a joyful time of year; however, if you experience a plumbing emergency, it can turn into a stressful and potentially disastrous event. By removing grease and food waste from your drains, you can ensure your plumbing is healthy and avoid making an unexpected emergency call. The best course of action is to be proactive in avoiding clogs rather than reacting to one. However, if disaster strikes, a reputable local plumber is merely a phone call away. With the help of reliable plumbers located within your area (plumbing companies near me), you can focus on celebrating the holiday season with your loved ones and enjoying your favorite holiday meals without any plumbing-related distress.