How to Avoid a Holiday Plumbing Disaster

• Be Kind to Your Toilets

The holidays are a time for joy, but increased use of your plumbing system can also lead to stress. One common culprit? Blocked toilets. With more people using the facilities and potentially flushing items that shouldn't go down the drain, the risk of a clogged toilet rises. In fact, blocked toilets are one of the common plumbing emergencies that plumbers are called upon to address. Toilets are for human waste and toilet paper only. Since not all of your guests will be as considerate of your plumbing as you are, it’s in your best interest to encourage them to be mindful of what they flush. As a preventive measure, put trash cans in all guest bathrooms. If you encounter a stubborn toilet clog, reach out to a professional plumbing service for drain cleaning.

• Properly Dispose Of F.O.G

F.O.G stands for fats, oils, and grease; they’re a major culprit behind drain clogs in homes, restaurants, and other commercial properties. Resist the urge to pour leftover grease, oily condiments, and cooking fat down your drain. While it may seem like the easiest solution, the nightmare begins when grease and cooking oil cool and solidify in the drain lines. Over time, the accumulation of F.O.G will restrict the flow of wastewater and bind to other items, resulting in drain clogs. Instead of pouring it down the drain, let it cool and toss it in the trash.

• Respect Your Garbage Disposal

Food preparation is what most holidays are centered around, which means lots of leftovers. This is the time when you may be tempted to grind up all those food scraps in your garbage disposal, but we don’t recommend doing so. Even though garbage disposals are designed to dispose of food waste, the truth is that they can only handle so much. Here’s what you should avoid putting down your garbage disposal:

• Eggshells
• Coffee grounds
• Animal bones and fat
• Rice and pasta
• Fruit pits and seeds
• Nuts
• Fibrous foods such as celery

If your garbage disposal has stopped working for some reason, it’s important to reach out to a trusted plumbing repair service to troubleshoot the appliance and make the necessary repairs.

• Use Sink Strainers

A sink strainer goes a long way in preventing clogged drains. The primary function of a sink strainer is to catch food scraps, hair, coffee grounds, and other debris before they enter your pipes. This prevents clogs that can lead to slow drainage, backups, and even plumbing emergencies.

• Insulate Exposed Pipes

Frozen and burst pipes are a reality of plumbing during the holidays. The cold weather and pipes do not mix. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced plumber insulate exposed pipes in your home. Insulating pipes that run through crawl spaces, attics, unheated garages, and exterior walls helps prevent them from freezing and bursting in cold weather. If you happen to experience a burst pipe despite your best efforts to winterize your home, turn off the water supply and call an emergency plumbing service to fix the problem.

Our Plumbing Team Can Tackle Any Plumbing Problem You Encounter

At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we understand that plumbing problems can arise even with the best of care. That’s why we’re standing by to help you with all of your plumbing needs. If you’re interested in scheduling a plumbing inspection or you find yourself in need of repairs during the holidays, our skilled plumbers are here to help.