Holiday Season Plumbing Prep: Top 3 Things to Avoid Putting in Your Pipes
The holiday season is a time of joy, festivities, and gatherings with friends and family. However, it's also a time when homeowners need to be extra cautious about what goes down their plumbing system. With guests in the house, it's essential to avoid common mistakes that can lead to plumbing disasters. In this blog post, we'll highlight the top three things homeowners should avoid putting in their plumbing system during the November and December holiday season.
Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG):
As delicious holiday feasts are prepared and enjoyed, it's tempting to wash away leftover fats, oils, and grease down the sink. But this is a big no-no for your plumbing system. Here's why:
Clogs: FOG may start as a liquid when hot, but it solidifies as it cools, forming stubborn clogs in your pipes. These clogs can lead to slow drains, backups, and costly repairs.
Sewer Line Blockages: Over time, FOG can accumulate in sewer lines, causing blockages that can affect not only your home but also the municipal sewer system.
Environmental Impact: Disposing of FOG improperly can harm the environment by clogging sewer systems and contaminating waterways.
Instead of pouring FOG down the sink, collect it in a container and dispose of it in the trash or consider recycling it if your local recycling program accepts it. Additionally, use drain strainers to catch food scraps when washing dishes.
Be careful what you put down your drain!
It may cost you.
Flushable Wipes and Non-Flushables:
Hosting guests often means extra trips to the bathroom, and while it may seem convenient to flush wipes or other non-flushable items down the toilet, it's a risky practice:
Clogs: These items don't break down like toilet paper and can easily lead to clogs in your plumbing or the municipal sewer system.
Expensive Repairs: Removing clogs caused by wipes or non-flushables can be costly, involving professional plumbing services.
Environmental Impact: Many wipes don't biodegrade as quickly as toilet paper and can harm the environment.
To avoid plumbing mishaps, provide a clearly labeled trash can in the bathroom for the disposal of wipes, sanitary products, and other non-flushables. Educate your guests about what can and cannot be flushed down the toilet to prevent costly issues.
Excessive Food Scraps:
During holiday gatherings, it's common to have more food scraps and leftovers than usual. While it's tempting to rinse them down the kitchen sink, it's best to use caution:
Clogs: Large food scraps can block your kitchen sink's drain, leading to unpleasant backups.
Garbage Disposal Overuse: Overloading your garbage disposal with large food scraps can strain the motor and lead to breakdowns.
Foul Odors: Leftover food particles can linger in your pipes, causing unpleasant odors.
To avoid these issues, scrape food scraps into the trash or consider composting if you have the means to do so. Use a drain strainer to catch any small food particles that may escape.
Conclusion:
Hosting guests during the holiday season is a wonderful tradition, but it's important to be mindful of what goes into your plumbing system. By avoiding fats, oils, and grease, refraining from flushing non-flushables, and being cautious with food scraps, you can prevent plumbing problems and enjoy a stress-free holiday season with your loved ones. Remember, a little prevention goes a long way in ensuring your plumbing remains trouble-free.