We know that Thanksgiving is an important day in Gainesville households. We also know that it’s the absolute worst day for a plumbing emergency. Luckily, there are several things that you can do on and before Thanksgiving to ensure that your plumbing continues working properly so you can spend more time with friends and family. Just follow our tips for a smooth holiday.
1. Dispose of Food Scraps Properly
It may be easy to rinse leftovers down the drain, but this will most certainly lead to a clog. Instead, scrape your food scraps into the garbage can or compost. If you do decide to put food scraps down the garbage disposal, be sure to turn it on before putting food into it. Also, keep the water running for a short time so the drain doesn’t become clogged. If you don’t have a garbage disposal, utilize a sink strainer. This will catch any food scraps before they reach the drain. Simply empty the sink strainer when you have finished washing the dishes.
2. Dispose of Grease Properly
Grease is another culprit of clogged drains on Thanksgiving. Hot grease may seem like any other liquid that can go down the drain, but when it cools, it will congeal. This will lead to clogs. Instead of putting grease into the drain, pour the grease into a jar or other suitable container, and put it in the garbage.
3. Prepare Your Home for Thanksgiving
If you are hosting Thanksgiving, take some time to make sure your home is ready. If you have put off any plumbing maintenance issues, get them fixed before the holidays. Take care of preventative services like root mitigation, leak detection, and water pressure tests. If you would like peace of mind, call a professional for a plumbing inspection before the holidays.
4. Be Mindful About the Number of People in Your Home.
If there are extra people staying in your home, be mindful about shower time and kitchen traffic. Try to spread showers out and make sure they do not last for more than 10 minutes. Otherwise, you may be running low on hot water when trying to do the dishes or dealing with low water pressure. Create signs asking people not to flush wipes, cotton balls, paper towels, or other items down your toilets.
When it comes time for the meal, keep all non-essential people out of the kitchen. Things like jewelry, toys, or broken glass can find their way into your drains when there are lots of extra people around. Reduce traffic and distractions to keep your kitchen a clean work space.
For over a decade, J.W. Freeman Plumbing has been serving homeowners in the Gainesville, Florida area with honest, affordable plumbing services. A five-time recipient of the Angie’s List Super Service Award, we know what it takes to get a job done right the first time. Contact us today for a free, no-risk, in-home estimate, and experience the J.W. Freeman difference.
