There are many different types of plumbing, and the kitchen is no stranger to piping. There are, however, some things you can do with minimal effort to make sure that all the plumbing in your home works as intended this holiday season. While we’re not going to get into the history of plumbing, here are some tips and tricks when it comes to plumbing features in the kitchen this Thanksgiving.
“The day after thanksgiving is the busiest day for plumbers." – Anonymous
Your Disposal is Not a Trash Can
So don’t treat it like one. Use the trash or better yet, begin a compost pile. Compost can enrich the soil of your home’s exterior. So don’t throw everything down the sink disposal. It’s best to avoid replacing drain pipes under your kitchen sink. While there’s a bit of an argument concerning egg shells, here’s a brief list of things that you should never put down your garbage disposal, and remember to run cold water!
- Grease
- Celery
- Bones
- Cobbs
- Coffee grounds
- Banana peels
- Fruit pits
- Pasta
- Potato peels
What Not To Flush
There are only two things that you should flush down the toilet, and those are waste and toilet paper. Anything else will cause an issue, even if it’s over time. Here’s a list of things that might seem innocent to flush, but in reality they can damage your plumbing system.
- Cotton swabs
- Flushable wipes (no, really)
- Sanitary napkins
- Facial cleansing pads
- Feminine products
- Cleaning wipes
- Paper towels
- Cotton balls
Make sure your plumbing is working as intended. Did you know the cost for services changes based on where you live? For example, in Dallas, TX the average cost for plumbing repair is slightly lower than in Fort Knox, KY. Want to get a more accurate estimate for free? Get in touch with a homeyou pro near you!
Preemptively Call the Plumber
Most families wait until there is an issue with their plumbing. Few homeowners think to have their systems checked the day before Thanksgiving. But that is the time to do it. This will make sure any pre-existing issues won’t contribute to piping failure.
So Call a Pro!
Contact a professional to help ease any plumbing issues you home might have. This can be done both before and after Thanksgiving to make sure there are no problems that would come back to bite you later. Having kitchen plumbing repair will allow for a more stress free holiday.
Space Out Your Showers
Nobody likes taking a cold shower, so you’ve got to allow time for the hot water to replenish. To retain hot water for as long as possible, space out your showers if you have a lot of family members staying with you. This gives the water some time to recover. Should you install an “On Demand heater however, this will no longer be a problem.
Sink Strainer
It’s such a cheap and easy fix that you would think more homeowners would be doing this, but simply installing a sink strainer can seriously cut down on the amount of harmful objects that could potentially damage your kitchen plumbing layout. Some models are so easy to use that you can just pop them in the drain, no installation necessary. Then toss the strainer’s contents into a compost pile.
General Tips
Plumbers see an annual business increase of 21% during Thanksgiving weekend. But you can avoid having to call a plumber just by following this simple guide on types of plumbing systems.
- Even if they seem clean, wipe any pot or pan that contained grease with a paper towel before putting in the dishwasher
- Again, nothing starchy should go in the garbage disposal
- Keep said disposal running, while pouring cold water down it
- In cases of emergency plumbing, be sure to ask about any fees
- Single pan side dishes can save time and water usage when cleaning
- Have a professional give your plumbing a check-up before and after
Get your plumbing checked out before Thanksgiving so you don't have to worry while entertaining guests. Get a free estimate today!
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