Holidays Should Be About Enjoying Good Company
As Thanksgiving arrives here in Connecticut, we know that it’s a time for practicing gratitude, enjoying family, and, of course, having a magnificent feast. It’s also known as a day of controlled (or semi-controlled) chaos in the kitchen, with a house full of loved ones, and the pleasant buzz of holiday activity. .
However, deep within the walls of your home, your plumbing system is also feeling the stress of the holiday season.
Think about it: your home’s plumbing is designed for average daily use. On Thanksgiving, things are different, it’s facing a “perfect storm” of plumbing stressors:
- The Kitchen: Hours of non-stop cooking, massive amounts of food prep, and a mountain of dishes. Sinks, drains, dishwashers, and other water connected devices are being tested to their limits.
- The Guests: A full house means toilets are flushing more, hot showers are running longer, and sinks are being used constantly.
The day after Thanksgiving is notoriously one of the busiest days of the year for plumbers—and for good reason. What can you do to keep the usage from ruining your holiday weekend? At Degree, our certified plumbers have some tips and tricks that can be your edge in reducing your risks of an inconvenient plumbing issue from happening. We want you to spend your holiday time enjoying leftovers, not calling for emergency plumbing help.
Here’s your complete guide to keeping your pipes clear and your holiday happy.
1. The Kitchen: Ground Zero for Clogs
The main culprit of Thanksgiving plumbing emergencies is, without a doubt, the kitchen sink. We’re dealing with two primary offenders: Grease and the Garbage Disposal.
The Golden Rule: Beware of F.O.G.
F.O.G. stands for Fats, Oils, and Grease. This is your plumbing’s worst enemy.
- Why it’s a problem: When you pour liquid grease (from the turkey pan, gravy, butter, or bacon) down the drain, it may look fine. But as it cools, it solidifies inside your pipes, creating a hard, waxy blockage. This problematic “pipe cholesterol” catches other debris on its way to the sewer line, and before you know it, your sink is backing up.
- What to do:
- NEVER pour F.O.G. down the drain.
- Pour excess grease into an empty, heat-safe container (like a coffee can or a glass jar).
- Let it cool and solidify, then scoop it into the trash.
- For greasy pans, wipe them out with a paper towel before washing them.
Using Your Garbage Disposal Wisely
Your garbage disposal is a powerful tool, but it’s not a magic trash can. Overloading it or feeding it the wrong food debris (or non food debris) is the fastest way to experience a jam or a clog.
DO NOT Put These Down the Disposal:
- Fibrous & Stringy Foods: Celery, onion skins, corn husks, artichokes, and asparagus. The strings wrap around the blades.
- Starchy & Expanding Foods: Potato peels, pasta, and rice. They absorb water and can swell into a thick, glue-like paste inside your pipes.
- Hard Items: Turkey bones, fruit pits, or nut shells. These will just break your disposal.
- Coffee Grounds: They seem fine, but they have this structure that can cause clumps and create sediment clogs.
Best Practices for Garbage Disposal Use:
- Scrape First: Scrape all plates into the trash or compost bin before rinsing.
- Use Cold Water: Always run a strong flow of cold water (not hot) before, during, and for at least 30 seconds after using the disposal. Cold water keeps fats solid so the disposal can chop them up and flush them away (though you should still avoid F.O.G. entirely!).
- Go Slow: Feed food waste into the disposal in small handfuls, not all at once.
2. The Bathroom: Managing a Full House
Having more guests for your dinner or staying with you during the holiday means more flushes and more hot showers. This puts a heavy load on your toilets and drains.
- The Toilet: Your toilet is only designed to flush human waste and toilet paper. Guests, especially children (or adults in a hurry), may not know this.
- The Fix: Prevent problems before they start. Place a small, discreet sign in the guest bathroom that says, “Please flush only toilet paper,” or “Please do not flush wipes, paper towels, or personal care products.” Also, keep a plunger visible and accessible—it saves everyone potential embarrassment.
- The Shower: Extra showers mean more hair and soap scum heading down the drain.
- The Fix: Every shower drain should have a good hair-catcher or strainer. If you have guests staying for a few days, it’s wise to clear it out daily.
- The Hot Water Heater: More showers + more dishwashing = a high demand for hot water. Having enough hot water is going to keep your guests happier.
- The Fix: If possible, run your dishwasher at night after everyone has gone to bed. This frees up hot water for guests and for final kitchen cleanup.
3. Quick Troubleshooting for Common Clogs
Even with the best preparation, a slow drain can happen. Here’s what to do.
- Slow Sink Drain:
- Don’t reach for chemicals! Harsh chemical drain cleaners can be toxic, damage your pipes (especially older ones), and make a plumber’s job more dangerous if they have to work on it later.
- Try a plunger first. Fill the sink with a few inches of water, block the overflow hole with a wet rag, and plunge vigorously. This might be enough to clear the drain with the least amount of trouble.
- Try a simple drain snake. A cheap plastic “zip-it” tool can often pull out a simple hair or food clog. You might have a more robust drain snake on hand that could do the job.
- Clogged Toilet:
- DO NOT FLUSH AGAIN. This will likely cause the bowl to overflow.
- Use a flange plunger (the one with the “bell” on the end). Make sure you have a good seal and give it several strong plunges. These “Plumber’s Helpers” will handle most clogged toilet situations.
4. When to Stop and Call a Professional
Don’t let a small problem turn into a major, costly disaster. You should stop your DIY plumbing troubleshooting and call a licensed plumber immediately if:
- Water is backing up in multiple places (e.g., flushing the toilet makes water gurgle up in the shower). This signals that your problem is with the main sewer line clog, which you cannot fix yourself.
- A plunger or simple snake doesn’t fix the clog.
- You smell sewage.
- You suspect a leak based on water stains or pools of water where they should be.
Consumer Tip: Have the number of a trusted, local 24/7 plumber saved in your phone before the holiday. The last thing you want is to be price-shopping for emergency services with a house full of guests and a non-functional bathroom.
Reduce Holiday Stress With Some Planning Before the Doorbell Rings
This Thanksgiving, your to-do list is already long enough—don’t let an avoidable plumbing disaster add an emergency item to it. By following these simple steps, you’re not just preventing a clog; you’re safeguarding your holiday peace. However, if the unexpected happens, remember the Degree team is always here for our Connecticut neighbors. Save our number now, so you can get back to what truly matters: enjoying a worry-free day with family. From our family to yours, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!