Holiday Plumbing Tips
Holiday gatherings are usually bad news for plumbing. Don’t let your celebration get interrupted by a clogged sink, broken garbage disposal or a backed-up toilet. Here are a few tips to get your through the season.
Garbage Disposal Use
Big meals mean big messes. Your garbage disposal should only be used for small food particles. Never put non-food items in your disposal, and avoid large amounts of any food that is better suited for the trash can. Items like meat, egg shells, potato peels, fruit scraps are usually fine, but not in large volumes. This like animal bones and coffee grounds should never be put in your garbage disposal. Check out a full list of disposal suggestions here.
Run the Dishwasher Later
Dishwashers and garbage disposal often share a drain. If you wait until the kitchen sink is no longer getting heavy use, you’ll reduce the risk of a back-up.
Prevent Toilet Clogs
Toilets are another place clogs can occur. The most common cause of toilet clogs isn’t from overeating at the dinner table, but from flushing items that weren’t designed to be flushed. These items include: paper towels, tissues, cotton balls and swabs, feminine products and so-called “flushable” wipes. The best way to keep these items from clogging your toilet over the holidays is to keep a waste basket and plunger in your bathroom.
Drain Filters for Sinks
It’s surprising how many sinks out there don’t employ a drain filters to keep debris out of drains. They are cheap and effective. This filters can be found at any hardware store. They are a small mesh screen that site in your sink, above the drain. There devices are great for keeping hair out of shower drains also.
Don’t Put Grease in Your Drains
When preparing a large meal, it’s tempting to save time and pour the excess grease down your drain and forget about it. This can be a big mistake, as once that grease gets into your pipes and cools it will start to solidify and clog your drain. It can also cause damage to your garbage disposal, so your best bet is to dispose of grease properly every time.
Accidents do happen, however, so if you find yourself in the grips of a plumbing emergency this holiday season, give Reddi Plumbing a call at 316-847-4277.
Resources found on our website are provided as general guidelines, and Reddi Industries does not assume any liability resulting from the provided information.