Tips on How to Prevent Holiday Plumbing Emergencies

The holiday season is peak season for plumbers, mostly due to family gatherings – careless disposal of food scraps and improper use of toilets being the usual culprits. Here are tips on how to prevent holiday plumbing emergencies.

Avoid Dumping Grease Down the Drain

There are many ways to properly dispose of grease from the kitchen, but one thing you should not do is pour it down the drain. Trapped grease in the plumbing can cool down and harden, which can easily cause clogging in the pipes. Grease in the sewers have also been known to form “fatbergs” – enormous deposits of solidified grease and various debris that can block sewer mains. Find out what is the best grease disposal method in your area, and include that in your best kitchen practices.

Don’t Overuse Your Garbage Disposal

It is possible to damage the garbage disposal if you throw too many things into it too fast or if you use it for things that it’s not designed to dispose of, such as large pieces of bone. Another thing to add to your best kitchen practices is to separate the things that can be disposed of by your garbage disposal, and throw the rest into the garbage bin. Make it a point to have your garbage disposal maintained as prescribed by the manufacturer.

Flush Only Things That Can be Flushed Down the Toilet

It’s fairly common for people to throw things in the toilet that aren’t meant to be flushed down, especially if the toilet isn’t theirs. While it can be awkward to remind your guests of proper toilet etiquette, you can hang a bespoke decorative sign that lists the things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet. Place a trash bin near the toilet so your guests won’t be prompted to use the toilet for disposal and cause a plumbing emergency.

If you need help with fixing plumbing problems, call Handyman Connection® of Mason at (513) 733-3777. You can also fill out our contact form for an estimate.