Stuffing More Than Just the Turkey: 6 Ways to Avoid a Thanksgiving Plumbing Disaster

Did you know that one of the most popular weekends to call the plumber is over the Thanksgiving weekend? The stress on the garbage disposal and the pressure of guests using the toilets, showers, and sinks can be distressing. Don't become another Thanksgiving statistic. Abide by these tips instead of hosting a Thanksgiving plumbing disaster this year.

1.      Save your plumbers number to your phone so that you aren't scouring the phone book or Internet in case the toilet is overflowing onto your beautiful floors.

2.      If you know in advance that you will be hosting the big meal, call your plumber in Ledgewood NJ for some preliminary examination. Your goal is to make sure that your pipes are in good enough condition to handle the influx of guests you will be entertaining.

3.      Put fats and oils in the trash, not the sink. These items should never go down the drain because they can create clogs when they ultimately solidify. You can use paper towels to wipe grease into the trash. You should also keep anything stringy, bony, or starchy out of the garbage disposal. This includes chicken or turkey skin, potato peels and celery. These items do not break down easily, eventually leading to clogs.

4.      Never flush food (of any size) down the toilet. The toilet is not designed to handle the stress of food, and you may find that it is backed up. It is certainly not a good alternative to the garbage disposal.

5.      Try to keep guests from taking showers back to back. It is better to provide your pipes with a short break, allowing items like hair to disperse rather than clog your drains.

6.      Anytime you use the garbage disposal while cooking the big meal, keep the motor going when you start to put the food in. Don't allow the disposal to fill up before you hit the switch. Additionally, be sure to keep the water running while you do this.

Don't you want to spend more time with your loved ones and less time hanging out with the plumber on Thanksgiving? We encourage you to follow these steps and to call us at The Polite Plumber with any questions or service needs you may have.