Tips to Avoid Plumbing Problems this Thanksgiving

Did you know that the day after Thanksgiving is the single busiest of the year for Roto-Rooter’s [1] residential plumbers?  Big holiday meal preparation and cleanup can lead to a lot of unwanted waste in the kitchen drain [2] and garbage disposal. Also, a house full of holiday guests who require additional clothes washing [3], showers and toilet flushes puts a strain on household plumbing [4].

Often, a house already has partially clogged drains [5] that go unnoticed, until holiday guests [6] arrive and overwhelm the system.  Hectic houses full of people and frantic hosts quickly and easily lead to plumbing problems throughout the holiday season.

Even more problematic is that virtually every traditional Thanksgiving dish is a supreme drain clog culprit.

Incoming calls to Roto-Rooter, for kitchen jobs alone, will jump 50% above the average Friday. The four-day Thanksgiving weekend averages a 21% increase over any other Thursday through Sunday period during the year. In Roto-Rooter’s case, they prepare with additional staff to address the increase in calls and jobs.

Thanksgiving hosts can avoid a visit from their plumber over the holiday weekend by following these clog-preventing [7] tips:

-- Never pour fats or cooking oils down drains. They solidify in pipes. Instead, wipe grease from pots with paper towels and throw in the trash.

-- Avoid putting stringy, fibrous or starchy waste in the garbage disposal [8]. Poultry skins, celery, fruit & potato peels, for example, cannot be sufficiently broken down.

-- Make sure the disposal is running when you put food into it. Don’t wait until it’s full to turn it on.

-- For homes hosting weekend guests, it’s a good idea to wait ten minutes between showers [9] so slow drains have time to do their  job.

-- Never flush cotton balls, swabs, hair or facial scrub pads down a toilet. They don’t dissolve and will cause clogs.

-- Try to address any plumbing problems before the holiday and before guests arrive. However, in holiday emergencies [10], don’t hesitate to ask up front about extra holiday service fees.

As always, know your limits. Often, minor plumbing problems turn into plumbing catastrophes if not handled properly.