Thanksgiving will be here before you know it — meaning family is coming to stay, and a lot of cooking will take place! With all of the extra people and food, your plumbing system can get strained during the holidays. If your system is not correctly prepped or maintained, your holiday could circle the drain. We have put together some tips on how to prepare for the Thanksgiving rush – which is one of the busiest times of the year for plumbers!
Prepping Beforehand:
- Check your home for leaks. Inspect all pipes and faucets to ensure there is no water dripping. It will benefit you to fix a leak as soon as you notice it to prevent further damage to your home and your plumbing system.
- If you currently have slow drains, you should have them cleaned ahead of time. Your drains can slowly develop build up that can lead to blockages and clogs. With clean, clear drains, your system is sure to perform to its best ability.
- Test your garbage disposal prior to Thanksgiving. You should run the water along with your garbage disposal at the same time to ensure everything is in working condition, so you will not have any problems during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Avoiding Issues during the Holiday Weekend:
- Be mindful of what is being washed down the drain. Small scraps from your plate are okay to rinse off. Bones, oil, and grease are not. Turkey bones (or any bones) could cause clogs to your disposal, or cause damage to it once stuck. Grease and oil solidify and harden inside your pipes, leading to buildup and clogs. Remember – your disposal is not a trash can! If you do use your disposal to get rid of small waste, run cold water when you do so.
- Just like there are only a select few things you should rinse down your sink or disposal, there is also a similar rule for the toilet as well. The rule of thumb to follow is to only flush toilet paper. Many other items like wipes or sanitary napkins will be labeled as “flushable.” Even these can cause damage to your plumbing system. Remind your houseguests to only flush toilet paper and to throw any other items in the trash.
- Finally, having any plumbing problems fixed prior to Thanksgiving will help to prevent further damage. If you notice a leak, clog, or slow drain – have it inspected and fixed as soon as possible. Avoiding these repairs now could result in damage that is more difficult to fix, as well as more expensive, later.
Even if you follow every tip and prepare your home’s plumbing perfectly, we know things happen and some accidents are unavoidable. Eastern Plumbing is there for you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer emergency services for reasons just like this. Do not let a leak or a clog ruin your Thanksgiving! Contact Eastern Plumbing for any plumbing needs at 252-758-7579.
