Pre-Thanksgiving Plumbing Tips

Retail stores aren't the only ones busy on Black Friday
by: Mark Huffman, ConsumerAffairs.com - November 17, 2010

You're probably aware that the day after Thanksgiving Day is the busiest time of the year for the nation's retailers. But did you know that it's also one of the busiest days of the year for the nation's plumbers?

The reason? Big holiday meal preparation and cleanup can lead to a lot of unwanted waste in the kitchen drain and garbage disposal. Also, a house full of holiday guests who require additional clothes washing, showers and toilet flushes puts a strain on household plumbing.

According to residential plumbing repair chain Roto-Rooter, "Black Friday" is, in fact, the day when no one takes a break.

"Often, the case is that a house already has partially clogged drains that go unnoticed, until holiday guests arrive and overwhelm the system," Paul Abrams, a Roto-Rooter representative said. And it's not just Black Friday. Hectic houses full of people and frantic hosts quickly and easily lead to plumbing problems throughout the holiday season. "Even more problematic is that virtually every traditional Thanksgiving dish is a supreme drain clog culprit," Abrams said.

Incoming calls to Roto-Rooter, for kitchen jobs alone, will jump 50 percent above the average Friday. The four-day Thanksgiving weekend averages a 21 percent increase over any other Thursday through Sunday period during the year. Roto-Rooter said it beefs up with additional staff to address the increase in calls and jobs.

The company says Thanksgiving hosts can avoid a visit from their plumber over the holiday weekend by following these clog-preventing tips:

• Never pour fats or cooking oils down drains. They solidify in pipes. Instead, wipe grease from pots with paper towels and throw in trash.
• Avoid putting stringy, fibrous or starchy waste in the garbage disposal. Poultry skins, celery, fruit & potato peels, for example, cannot be sufficiently broken down.
• Make sure the disposal is running when you put food into it. Don't wait until it's full to turn it on.
• For homes hosting weekend 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 facial scrub pads down a toilet. They don't dissolve and will cause clogs.
• Try to address any plumbing problems before the holiday and before guests arrive. However, in holiday emergencies, don't hesitate to ask up front about extra holiday service fees.

As always, know your limits. Often, minor plumbing problems turn into plumbing catastrophes if not handled properly.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!