The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and festive feasts—but all that celebration can put a serious strain on your home’s plumbing with clogged drains. The last thing you want is a kitchen sink backing up right in the middle of a big dinner or a clogged toilet with a house full of guests.
Fortunately, with a few simple precautions, you can help prevent those dreaded holiday plumbing disasters. Here are our top tips for a clog-free and stress-free December.
1. Be a Kitchen Guard Dog (for your drains)
The kitchen is ground zero for most holiday plumbing issues. With all the cooking and dishwashing, it’s easy for fats, oils, and grease (FOG) to go down the drain. While they might be liquid when hot, they solidify and cling to the inside of your pipes as they cool, creating clogged drains.
Pro-Tip: Pour cooled grease into an old container or jar and throw it in the trash instead. Before washing dishes, scrape all food scraps into the garbage can.
2. Your Garbage Disposal is Not a Trash Can
While a garbage disposal is a helpful tool, it has its limits. Don’t treat it like a catch-all for every kind of food. Avoid putting fibrous vegetables like celery and potato peels, or starchy items like pasta and rice down the drain, as they can cause jams and expand in your pipes.
Pro-Tip: Always run cold water while using the disposal to help flush food particles through.
3. Watch What You Flush
A clogged toilet is a surefire way to kill the holiday cheer. With extra guests, it’s crucial to be mindful of what gets flushed. Remind everyone that the only things that should go down the toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Even products labeled “flushable” wipes, paper towels, and cotton balls can cause major blockages.
Pro-Tip: Place a small, lined trash can in your bathroom as a convenient place for guests to dispose of non-flushable items.
4. The Power of Prevention
A little maintenance goes a long way. Use drain screens or strainers in your kitchen and bathroom sinks to catch hair and food particles before they enter your pipes. For a simple, chemical-free way to maintain your drains, mix a solution of baking soda and vinegar. Pour a half-cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a half-cup of vinegar. Let it sit and fizz for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water from the tap.
When to Call a Pro
Even with the best preparation, a stubborn clog can still happen. If your drain is slow or completely blocked, or you’re experiencing gurgling sounds, it’s time to call in the experts. Don’t risk damaging your pipes with harsh chemical cleaners.
For reliable, professional plumbing services this holiday season, trust the family-owned team at 1213 Plumbing. As your local plumbers in Lubbock, Texas, we have over 25 years of experience handling all types of drain issues. From minor clogs to major repairs, we are committed to providing honest and reliable solutions to keep your plumbing flowing smoothly.
Don’t let a plumbing problem ruin your holidays. Give us a call at (806) 782-7454 for a free estimate and enjoy a festive, worry-free season.