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As we prepare for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year, and all of the other holidays, we’re likely thinking about having company over to gather for celebration, friendship, and love. It’s really a joyous time of the year, and we want to be sure that you and your family keep your get-togethers happy and worry free!
With all of those meals and with all of those people, it’s time to consider the toll your party may have on your home’s plumbing. This tends to be a pretty busy time of the year for our plumbing crew, but here are a few tips to help you avoid holiday plumbing problems and maintain your holiday cheer.
Pre-Party Drain Flush
A good first step is to make sure that everything is working 100%. Go to every sink, tub, and toilet in the house, and make sure each is running fine. Flush your toilets while pouring in a bucket of water, then run water in your bathroom sinks and tub/shower. Finally, run water in your kitchen sink. If you notice slow drains, standing water, or back-ups, either clear the drains using one of the methods we outlined in a previous article, or contact us to make sure everything is draining properly.
Keep Your Kitchen Sink Drain Clear
With all that meal prep, it’s tempting to just throw all of the scrap veggie peels, potatoes, etc., into the sink and the garbage disposal. This is not a good idea. Throw your food scraps into the garbage can. Your garbage disposal is good for little particles leftover on plates, but don’t rely on it to chew down everything. You’ll find your pipes clogged with carrots, rice, and other leftover food which will require attention.
Also, don’t empty grease, oil, or turkey drippings, or gravy down the drain! Dispose of these oily substances in containers such as jars or cans and throw them in the garbage appropriately.
Prepare Your Bathrooms for Guests
Putting incorrect items into toilets can cause all kinds of problems. Sometimes, it’s necessary to Hydro-Jet sewer lines to clear the main line of blockages which can include bandages, plastic items, hair, and grease. Help your guest to not be an embarrassed “party pooper” by overflowing your toilets.
- Make sure every bathroom is stocked with a flange plunger (that’s the kind with the longer flange at the end of the cup).
- Keep a waste basket or garbage can with a plastic liner in each bathroom for things that aren’t flushable such as wipes, facial tissue paper, paper towels, napkins, and dental floss.
- You can even make a sign to hang over the garbage can to remind people to use it for those non-flushable items.
Get an Inspection or Fix Issues
If you really want to be sure that everything is fine and dandy, contact your local plumber to have everything inspected. Drains, pipes, cleanouts, valves, and other plumbing fixtures require service from time to time, and it’s a good idea to contact a professional to check things out.
We at DRC Plumbing and Sewer are dedicated to making sure that your home is dry, sanitary, and free of plumbing troubles. We’re happy to inspect your plumbing to make sure everything works great. If you do have clogged sinks, toilets, or main lines, our expertly trained plumbing team can make short work of clearing the issue so your days can be merry and bright! Give us a call at 708-203-7057 if you have any questions or click the link below to drop us a line.
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