Holiday Plumbing Survival Tips

We can’t help you figure out how to handle to your hyper-political and all too opinionated cousin, but we can help keep your plumbing running smoothly. With Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day all coming up or even if just passed, it is time for some helpful tips.

So here are some ways you can help avoid creating plumbing problems in a busy home.

In the kitchen:

Cooking oils, fats and grease congeal and can clog your pipes, so keep them out of your sink. Instead, collect cooled oils in an empty milk jug or 2-liter bottle and dispose of with the rest of your garbage.

Flush your garbage disposal with cold water for 10-15 seconds before and after use. Be sure it is running before you add food waste and do not put carrots, celery, turkey skin, pasta, rice, bones or coffee grounds in there.

It is a myth that ice cubes in the disposal will sharpen the blades. Ice will, however, help clean debris from the system that can help maximize efficiency.

Run your dishwasher when water usage is low, like at night or while everyone is sleeping after eating too much turkey.

In the bathroom:

Any plumbing problem related to your sewer system that already exists will only become a larger problem when more people begin using the bathroom. You only have two options here: ask your family to space out visits and be careful about what they flush or get your system cleared and in working condition before they arrive.

Ask guests to space out showers by 10 minutes or so to let water pressure build up again and to make sure every guest gets enough hot water.

Outside the home:

Be sure you have disconnected all hoses from outdoor faucets. This will drain the water near the exterior of your home that could otherwise freeze and create leaky pipes when it thaws.

Don’t forget!

If you have a plumbing need, we will be ready to help and have 24-hour emergency service.

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all that good stuff! And be sure to save our plumbers some of your leftovers if we make a visit … particularly some pumpkin pie!