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.

Why It’s Better to Hire a Professional Plumber

When it comes to caring for their home, many people feel comfortable taking on projects and do a great job of solving small problems on their own. However, no matter how handy you are, plumbing issues in your home are something that should always warrant a visit from a professional. Here is a list of a few reasons why it’s better to hire a professional plumber:

strong>They provide emergency service. Professional plumbers are always there to help support their clients and provide immediate assistance when needed. Plumbers on call 24/7 will be available to help you at any time, day or night, in the event of a plumbing emergency.

They’re educated in water safety. There are many dangerous things to consider when working with drinking water, gas lines and waste water. It is to the best interest of the customer to make sure that all work is performed to state safety standards and codes.

They provide many different services. Many people don’t realize that plumbers do a lot more than drain cleaning and fixing pipes. Professional plumbers like The Polite Plumber provide a wide variety of services! Some of these include bathroom remodeling, water softening and conditioning, and gas conversions.

They know the latest equipment. Plumbers are up to date on the latest equipment and technology. Their plumbing education and training continues throughout their entire careers to ensure the properly handling of tools and appliances to solve any plumbing problem.

They provide permanent solutions. Professional plumbers aren’t looking for a quick fix that will have them returning to fix the same problem a month or two later. Their goal is to find a permanent solution to plumbing issues and fix things right the first time so that the job will last for a longer period of time. That means they don’t use duct tape!

Request an appointment TODAY!

The Myth of the High Efficiency Toilet

When you hear the term high efficiency toilet, you may think, who wouldn’t want that? Don’t be fooled. Picking a toilet for your bathroom isn’t as easy as picking out the high efficiency model and walking out of the store. And, choosing the wrong toilet could lead to more hassle down the line.

Below are three things to remember when shopping for a new toilet:

• What you pay for is what you get. As with other household purchases, investing more money in this purchase might be the way to go. Inexpensive toilets will not operate as well as a higher-end toilet.
• Think about your desired toilet height! Studies have shown that 99% of consumers prefer a comfort height toilet. Comfort height toilets sit 2-3 inches higher than a standard toilet and are easier for a consumer to get in and out of.
• A toilet’s ability to flush increases with a 1- ½”, or better, trap way. You may not need a ‘high efficiency’ toilet to get the most efficiency out of yours.

Remember, even if you don’t know where to start, keep these three tips in mind. If all else fails, call The Polite Plumber at (973) 398-0875 and we won’t ask how it happened!