Thanksgiving is known for turkey dinners, family gatherings, and fantastic football. Unfortunately, Thanksgiving also includes many activities that can lead to plumbing problems. According to a report from CBS News, the day after Thanksgiving is statistically the busiest day of the year for plumbers. In fact, plumbing disasters are so common on this date that professionals have termed it “Brown Friday.” The good news is that you can take steps to lower the risk of plumbing catastrophes on this holiday. A look at how to avoid plumbing emergencies on Thanksgiving can help you plan a stress-free observance of all your favorite annual traditions.
Never Throw Leftovers Down the Drain
If you end up with kitchen cleanup duties during the holidays, it may feel tempting to scrape or rinse leftovers from everyone’s plates down the drain. However, large quantities of bulky or greasy food from Thanksgiving can quickly overwhelm your pipes and result in an obstruction or clog. To prevent clogs, designate a trash can for holiday scraps. Organic waste should go in a compost bin.
Properly Dispose of Grease and Cooking Oil
A traditional Thanksgiving meal includes favorites like turkey, gravy, bacon crumbles, and melted butter. While these items are all tasty, they can also include the by-product of grease and oil. Although it may feel tempting to pour turkey drippings and similar substances down the drain while cleaning, doing so can wreak havoc on your plumbing. Fats, oils, and grease can harden as they cool down and produce a solid mass known as FOG. This solidified mass can create major blockage problems deep within your plumbing system. Solidified grease and fats can also stick to the walls of your pipes, gradually narrowing their openings and resulting in problems with water flow. To prevent these issues, wipe any excess grease or fat off your dishes and cookware with a paper towel. Pour extra grease and oil into a heat-proof container such as a jar or metal can. You can then safely recycle or reuse the grease once it cools. For example, many local governments have free pickup programs for used cooking oil since experts can repurpose it to make products like biodiesel fuel, fertilizer, and animal feed.
Use Your Garbage Disposal Correctly
While garbage disposals are quite useful for pulverizing food waste, some items should never go into this device. Many of these items are holiday favorites that you should always discard separately. Examples of items that should not go into the garbage disposal include poultry skin, turkey bones, potato peels, celery, large fruit pits, eggshells, and coffee grounds. These items can jam your garbage disposal and cause it to malfunction or break. Discard them separately instead.
Wait To Use the Dishwasher
Thanksgiving often means you use many more dishes than you would under everyday circumstances. Although it might seem easy to repeatedly run the dishwasher to get these out of the way, it is often better to wait to use this appliance and hand wash the dishes as you go along instead. For one, using the dishwasher excessively can waste water and use up extra energy. In addition, since most dishwashers and garbage disposals share a drain, trying to use both at the same time may result in food scraps mixing with your dishwasher cycle. To keep your entire kitchen drain system operational, hand wash all smaller items and then use the dishwasher to cleanse your big pots and pans once you are finished with the garbage disposal for the day.
Wait 10 Minutes Between Showers
The holidays can bring an influx of overnight houseguests. This naturally results in increased bathroom usage. Space out showers and baths to allow your drains and pipes to do their jobs efficiently. Too many back-to-back showers can overwhelm your pipes and result in hair clogs. This is the last thing you want to deal with after a day of celebration. Instead, ask houseguests to wait at least 10 minutes between showers to allow the water to drain and any debris to rinse from the system.
Use Drain Strainers Everywhere
Prepare for Thanksgiving by purchasing a range of drain strainers. Generally, you should place a drain strainer of the correct size in each sink, shower, or bathtub. These strainers can catch all types of debris that would otherwise cause blockages or obstructions within your pipes.
Avoid Flushing Anything Other Than Toilet Paper
Hosting the Thanksgiving holidays can also mean that your bathrooms will experience more traffic than typical. In addition to protecting your showers and sinks, it is also important to protect your toilets from unpleasant clogs. To prevent any problems, avoid flushing anything down the toilet other than toilet paper. Items to avoid include paper towels, dental floss, wet wipes, feminine hygiene or sanitary products, cotton balls, cotton swabs, or facial tissue. Even items like baby wipes that may have the “flushable” label should go in the trash instead. Since sewers and septic tanks are not equipped to break down these items, flushing them can result in major clogs. The last thing you need is an inoperable toilet or backups during the holiday season. Placing empty waste bins or dispensers next to the toilet can help your guests discreetly discard any hygiene items. In addition, you can also help your system by purchasing the right toilet paper for the season. Consider buying single-ply toilet paper since it dissolves more easily than thicker varieties. This can help prevent any toilet paper-related backups or clogs.
Provide Guests With Necessary Supplies
When managing guests, keep your home well-stocked with necessary supplies like tissues and hand towels. Place large and clearly labeled garbage bins throughout the home. Doing so can minimize the chance of guests attempting alternative options that can cause clogs. Place commonly needed maintenance supplies like new plungers in each bathroom. This can help anyone discreetly handle minor issues without making an emergency call.
Monitor Water Heater Settings
Extra cooking and showers can mean that your water heater is working overtime. Consider adjusting the water heater temperature to adapt to increased usage. If you have noticed that your water heater has become less efficient in producing hot water, schedule a maintenance session so a plumber can flush out any sediment or buildup.
Schedule Your Annual Plumbing Inspection
If you have not scheduled your plumbing inspection for the year, it is a great idea to schedule this appointment just before the holidays. A plumbing inspection allows a professional to check for any problems like leaks, drain clogs, or water pressure issues and address them before they escalate into emergencies. Inspections may involve testing, troubleshooting, and recommendations for your unique plumbing situation. For example, your plumbing may suggest drain snaking to address clogs deep within your system. If you have already had your inspection, scheduling a general maintenance session is a great way to ensure that your drains are debris-free just in time for the heavy-duty activities of Thanksgiving.
Contact Us Today
Plumbing disasters can cast a pall over what should otherwise be a joyful holiday celebration. Fortunately, the experts are here to help you prevent plumbing emergencies. John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical provides plumbing services for homes in Lincoln, Omaha, and surrounding areas. We offer evaluations, inspections, and maintenance of all plumbing systems. Our trained plumbers offer drain cleaning, septic system services, sewer line repair, and hydro-jetting services. In addition to your drains, we can service your traditional water heater or help you upgrade to a tankless model. If your plumbing problems have already escalated, we offer 24/7 emergency repair services. No matter the issue, we can help. Contact John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical today for all of your plumbing needs.
