Holiday Plumbing Disasters: How to Avoid the Day-After Clog
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The day after Thanksgiving is famously one of the busiest days of the year for plumbers. Christmas isn’t far behind. Big meals, full houses and a lot of extra flushing push old plumbing over the edge.
The good news? Almost every holiday clog is avoidable. Here’s how to keep your drains moving while the house is full.
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Product | Best For | Deal |
|---|---|---|
| Grease Container With Strainer | Keeping grease out of drains | Check Price on Amazon |
| Sink Strainer Basket | Catching scraps | Check Price on Amazon |
| Flange Toilet Plunger | Toilet clogs | Check Price on Amazon |
| Toilet Auger | Stubborn toilet clogs | Check Price on Amazon |
| Enzyme Drain Cleaner | Monthly drain care | Check Price on Amazon |
Never Pour Grease Down the Drain
Turkey fat and bacon grease are liquid when hot and turn into a waxy plug when they cool in your pipes. Pour it into a can or grease container, let it harden, and toss it.
Go Easy on the Garbage Disposal
Potato peels, celery, onion skins, rice, pasta, bones and coffee grounds are disposal killers. Scrape plates into the trash or compost. If it jams anyway, our humming disposal fix takes five minutes.
Run Cold Water With the Disposal
Cold water keeps any small grease bits solid so they get chopped and flushed instead of coating the pipes.
Space Out Showers
Back-to-back showers drain your water heater and can overwhelm slow drains. Leave 10 minutes between them so the heater recovers.
Put a Plunger in Every Guest Bathroom
Save your guests the embarrassment. A flange plunger handles toilets best. Keep a small trash can in each bathroom for things that shouldn’t be flushed.
Know Where Your Main Shutoff Is
If a pipe or toilet overflows, you need to stop the water in seconds. Find the main valve now, and make sure it turns.
If a Clog Happens
Plunge first. For toilets, a toilet auger reaches deeper. Skip harsh chemical cleaners, especially if you’ll plunge afterward. If several drains back up at once, that’s a main line issue and needs a plumber.
Keep Reading
Garbage Disposal Humming but Not Working? · Shower Drain Clogged With Hair? · Hot Water Runs Out Fast? · Toilet Keeps Running After Flush?
FAQ
Why do drains clog during the holidays?
Grease, food scraps and heavy use from extra guests.
Can I put turkey grease down the drain with hot water?
No. It cools and hardens further down the pipe.
What shouldn’t go in a garbage disposal?
Grease, bones, peels, fibrous vegetables, pasta, rice and coffee grounds.
How do I keep the hot water from running out with guests?
Space out showers to let the water heater recover.
When should I call a plumber?
When multiple drains back up, water comes up in the tub when toilets flush, or a plunger and auger don’t help.
