About 40 percent of Americans travel over the holiday season, which means many of us are planning for guests over Thanksgiving and Christmas. While you’ve likely prepared the guest room and created a lengthy grocery shopping list, there’s another area of your home that needs attention before the holidays hit.
Your plumbing will be utilized far more than normal as you cook rich meals, host parties and invite family into your home. From the garbage disposal to the toilets, it’s wise to prep your plumbing for the upcoming holiday season.
Inspect The System
Have a plumbing inspection performed on your system prior to guests arriving. Your local plumber will survey the exterior foundation of your home for leaks and cracks. A sewer camera inspection will expose the condition of the inside of your pipes, revealing if drain cleaning services are needed to restore the optimum flow rate.
Most Clogged Time Of The Year
Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for plumbers. Garbage disposals have consumed their fair share of potato skins, turkey grease has been poured down the drain and guests have been filing in and out of the bathroom. There are bound to be clogs.
Plenty of starchy vegetables and other common holiday foods frequently meet the garbage disposal, and can destroy the blades or motor of the appliance. As you prepare your traditional recipes, avoid putting these foods down the garbage disposal:
- Bones
- Celery
- Coffee grounds
- Egg shells
- Fruit pits
- Grease
- Pasta
- Potato peels
Before the cooking even begins, prepare your garbage disposal by cleaning it with baking soda and vinegar. Pour one half cup of baking soda down the disposal and follow with one cup of white vinegar. Let the mixture set for three to five minutes, then clear with boiling water. Remember to run cold water any time you grind something in the disposal.
Prepare The Bathroom
Encourage your guests to avoid using the toilet as a wastebasket by providing a trashcan and offering biodegradable products. You want to avoid having cotton balls, Q-tips, wet wipes and other ill-advised products from being flushed down the toilet. Prep your bathroom with a wastebasket and have a plunger nearby in case of an unexpected clog. Stock the bathroom with toilet paper that’s easily broken down by your plumbing system. Avoid the extra fluffy, triple-ply paper that can create clogs.
If you know of any issues with your toilet, have it repaired prior to celebrating the holidays. A leaking flapper or recurring clogs could result in an emergency call to the plumber in the middle of your celebration.
Be aware of how your plumbing is working over the course of the holidays. If you notice any slow drains or foul odors, contact your local plumber. The professionals can detect and repair small problems before they turn into major plumbing catastrophes.
