Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with family, friends, and delicious food — but with the extra cooking and guests, it can also mean extra stress on your plumbing. At Canyon Heating and Plumbing, we want to help you avoid common Thanksgiving plumbing issues so you can focus on enjoying the holiday without any unpleasant surprises. Here are some helpful tips to keep your plumbing in top shape throughout the festivities.
1. Be Careful What You Put Down the Kitchen Sink
Between turkey, stuffing, and sides, Thanksgiving dinners come with a lot of scraps. However, putting the wrong items down the kitchen sink can lead to stubborn clogs. Avoid disposing of these items down the drain:
- Grease and Oils: After cooking, fats from turkey and other dishes can solidify in pipes, creating blockages. Instead, pour grease into a container, let it cool, and dispose of it in the trash.
- Bones: Turkey bones or any bones are too hard for garbage disposals and can damage the blades.
- Fibrous Vegetables: Potato peels, celery, and onion skins can tangle up in the garbage disposal, so toss these in the trash or compost bin.
Encourage guests to scrape plates into the garbage before rinsing them in the sink, which can further prevent clogging issues.
2. Run the Garbage Disposal with Care
If you’re using your garbage disposal, take it slow to prevent it from getting overwhelmed. Avoid overloading it with too much at once, and always run cold water while it’s on to help move debris through the pipes. If you’re hosting guests, you might even want to tape a quick reminder near the sink to only use the disposal for small scraps — this can help keep it from getting clogged or jammed.
3. Give the Toilet a Break
With extra people in your home, your bathrooms will see more traffic. Remind everyone to only flush toilet paper down the toilet and avoid flushing items like:
- Wet wipes (even if labeled as flushable)
- Feminine hygiene products
- Paper towels
These items can cause blockages and lead to backups. It may help to keep a small trash can in each bathroom for easy disposal of non-flushable items.
4. Spread Out Hot Water Usage
If guests are staying overnight, hot water demand will increase. Stagger showers and dishwashing times to give your water heater a chance to keep up. If you have a large household, consider lowering the water temperature slightly as well, which can help ensure there’s enough hot water for everyone and save on energy costs.
5. Check for Small Leaks Before Guests Arrive
If you’ve noticed any minor leaks in your pipes or faucets, it’s best to get them fixed before Thanksgiving. Small leaks can quickly worsen with added water usage, leading to bigger problems down the line. Canyon Heating and Plumbing can help with a pre-holiday inspection if needed.
6. Know Where Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve Is
In case of an emergency, knowing how to quickly shut off your home’s main water supply can be a lifesaver. The shut-off valve is usually located in the basement, garage, or near the water heater. Make sure you know where it is and that it’s easy to access in case of a burst pipe or other plumbing issue.
7. Have a Plumber’s Number Handy
Even with the best preparation, accidents happen. Keep a reliable plumber’s contact information saved on your phone in case of an emergency. At Canyon Heating and Plumbing, we’re ready to help the Farmington community with any plumbing needs, even during the holidays.
Enjoy a Stress-Free Thanksgiving with Canyon Heating and Plumbing
With these simple precautions, you can help prevent Thanksgiving plumbing disasters and focus on what really matters: spending time with loved ones. From all of us at Canyon Heating and Plumbing, we wish you a warm, safe, and clog-free Thanksgiving!