Plumbing Tips to Avoid Holiday Plumbing Disasters

Plumbers everywhere recognize the 24 hours after Thanksgiving as their busiest day on the calendar.

At Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling, we will respond to more plumbing service requests at our 26 locations throughout Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio on Friday, Nov. 29, than at any other time of the year.

Our plumbing team does brisk business the day after the holiday, handling everything from clogged drains to blocked sewer lines to jammed garbage disposals.

The risk of experiencing a plumbing mishap during or after Thanksgiving is directly related to the stress cooking exerts on your plumbing system.

What Causes Thanksgiving Plumbing Issues?

These foods can wreak havoc on your kitchen drain and garbage disposal:

Turkey grease, skin, and bones: Grease from your holiday bird and other dishes can solidify in your drain pipe, possibly causing a clog. The skin and bones may strain your garbage disposal.

Starchy Foods: Rice, pasta, and potato peels can become a starchy mess that jams your disposal and clogs your drain.

Coffee Grounds: Tiny bits of eggshells and coffee grounds can accumulate and block drains.

Celery and Asparagus: These foods and other fibrous vegetables can interfere with garbage disposal blades and lead to a jam.

How to Avoid Kitchen Plumbing Issues

• Allow cooking grease to cool before pouring it into a container with a lid. Throw it in the garbage after it solidifies. Keep all oils and fats out of your garbage disposal and drains.
• Place a sink strainer in your kitchen sink to catch food particles.
• Avoid overloading your garbage disposal. Always run cold water before and after grinding to help flush particles through the pipes. Keep fibrous and starchy foods, coffee grounds, egg and shrimp shells, and greasy food scraps out of your disposal.
• Trash food scraps that clog pipes. Consult your disposal’s user guide for guidance tailored to your specific brand and size disposal.

How to Help Avoid Bathroom Plumbing Issues

• Flush only human waste and toilet paper. Station a waste basket in your bathroom for items like cotton balls, wet wipes, personal hygiene products, dental floss, and tissues.
• Stagger showers and avoid overloading your plumbing system.

Maintain Your Plumbing System

Schedule our plumbing inspection before the holiday to identify potential issues like leaks and slow drains. One of our plumbing pros at Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling will inspect your system and ensure it works efficiently. Your home’s plumbing system should be inspected at least once per year to ensure there are no concerns with water leaks.

Slow drains may indicate a clogged sewer line. Depending on the age and condition of your sewer line, we can clean out debris buildup and tree roots using either a water jet technique or a sewer snake.

Repairing leaks in fixtures and pipes can prevent water damage and save money on your utility bill by stopping water waste. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average family can waste 180 gallons of water per week from household leaks. The EPA says that equates to the amount of water needed for 300 loads of laundry.

Fixing Holiday Plumbing Problems

If you experience a minor plumbing problem, like a clogged sink or toilet, during or after Thanksgiving Day, try clearing it with a plunger.  If a plunger does not resolve the issue, let the experts at Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling clear the stubborn clog.

Floor drains overflowing with water and debris from your sewer are a significant problem that can jeopardize your health. If your sewer line backs up, contact us immediately. We are available around the clock for emergency repairs.

Enjoy the day after Thanksgiving without plumbing problems. Let us at Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling inspect your plumbing system and clean your sewer line before the holiday. Our team of qualified technicians are available throughout Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. Contact us by clicking our Book Now link.