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Everyone loves Thanksgiving because it brings together many of the things we hold dear in this country, from family to food to football. However, those three elements can also equal a tsunami of potential plumbing disasters. Many a Thanksgiving has been spoiled by the unintentional last minute but well intentioned guest, your friendly local plumber. Today, we will offer some tips on how to keep the storm and your local plumber at bay during this holiday season.
Garbage Disposals
While it may seem your garbage disposal is a bottomless pit that anything can be poured or thrown down, that is not the case. There are some things that should ever be put into disposals, such as:
- Cooking Oil and Grease — These substances will collect and coagulate inside your disposal and hamper its ability to grind. Grease and oil will not only wreak havoc on the blades, it can also cause drains to be clogged.
- Glass, Metal, Paper – The blades in your disposal are sharp but not sharp enough to break down hard objects and substances. It’s not only bad for the disposal but a potential danger to the person using it.
- Potato Peels – When potato peels are ground up, they create a thick paste that can jam the blades and short out the motor.
- Pasta and Rice – When ground up and mixed with water, pasta and rice can expand and cause pipes to clog.
- Dry Run – Always be sure to run the water while using the disposal.
Toilets
When you have a lot of people in your home, the toilets will get a workout. Be sure you and your guest do not flush anything but waste and septic-safe bathroom paper down the toilet.
Showers
When you have guest in the home, there always seems to be a line at the shower. Make sure to allow ten minutes between showers to avoid backups and allow drains to do their job.
Preemptive Inspection
If you are planning on hosting a lot of guests during the holiday, its always a good idea to have a plumber check things out beforehand. A plumber can identify any potential issues and address them before disaster strikes in a full house.
Following these simple tips will help you avoid potential problems before they arise. If you should run into any issues, Michael & Son Services offers 24-hour service, even during the holidays. Check in with us for more holiday tips and also, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube page and find out about special offers, upcoming events and much more!
