You can avoid a visit from the plumber during the fall season by following these clog-preventing plumbing tips:
- Know your DIY limits to avoid a minor plumbing problem turning into a plumbing catastrophe. And address any plumbing problems beyond your capacity before you're expecting guests or family during busier holiday times this fall.
- Never pour fats or cooking oils down drains. They solidify in pipes and will practically ensure a problem. Instead, let the grease cool slightly then pour into a glass jar for disposal later (used pickle jars work great). If there isn't too much grease to warrant an entire jar, wipe grease from pots with paper towels and throw in trash.
- Test your garbage disposal before a holiday to make sure it is working properly. If you wait until it’s full to turn it on and realize it’s not working, you won’t be too happy.
- Poultry skins, celery, fruit and potato peels, aren't easily broken down by your garbage disposal and can wreak havoc. Avoid putting stringy, fibrous or starchy waste in the garbage disposal and instead throw them in the trash.
- Hosting weekend or holiday guests? It's a good idea to wait ten minutes between showers so slow drains have time to do their job.
- Never flush cotton balls, swabs, hair or wet wipes down a toilet--they don't dissolve and will cause clogs.
Why address any potential plumbing problems early in the fall? This stat offers a compelling reason: The day after Thanksgiving is the single busiest day of the year for many plumbers. Virtually every traditional Thanksgiving dish is a supreme drain clog culprit. It is really the perfect storm. You've got the big holiday meal preparation and cleanup. Add to that the pressure on your plumbing system with house guests potentially adding to the number of clothes and towels to wash, showers to take, and toilet to flush. Often, a house already has partially clogged drains that go unnoticed until the holidays hit and overwhelm the system.
The fall is a busy time, with the added stress of the upcoming holiday season. Don't add plumbing woes into the mix. When you follow these tips in early fall, you can enjoy the season with your friends and family, and spend less time with your local plumber.
