While the holidays are the time to get together with loved ones, they can also mean extra strain on your plumbing system. Keep these tips in mind to avoid an emergency call to the plumber during your celebrations.

How to Protect Your Plumbing This Holiday Season

1. Use Your Garbage Disposal Carefully

Garbage disposal units can become clogged or jammed if they receive harmful foods. Never pour grease or oil down the drain; once it cools, it solidifies and creates blockages. Eggshells, bones, and celery may dull or even break the blades. Potato peels, rice, and coffee grounds will expand when soaked and clog your garbage disposal unit as well.

2. Clean the Garbage Disposal Often

Clean your disposal unit every week by turning it on for a few minutes while running cold water and pouring a bit of dish soap down it. You can also drop cut-up pieces of orange, lemon, or lime with their peels into the disposal to clean the blades and eliminate odors.

3. Keep Your Drains Clear

If your kitchen doesn’t have a garbage disposal unit, invest in a sink strainer to keep food bits and other debris from clogging your drains. Also, ask your guests to clean their plates off in the trash can, not the sink.

Avoid putting greasy dishware in the sink or dishwasher. Instead, set it aside, let it cool, and wipe the grease off with a paper towel before washing. 

4. Have Your System Inspected Now

All homes should have their plumbing inspected at least every five years to prevent problems like broken pipes. An experienced plumber can check and clear your drains, identify damaged pipes, tighten connections that could cause leaks, and evaluate your kitchen sink’s foundation for rust and decay. This inspection will help you catch problems that might worsen with the holiday season’s extra usage before they turn into emergency repairs.

Oahu residents can rely on A-1 Budget Plumbing for 24/7 plumbing services this holiday season. For more than 30 years, their experienced plumbers have specialized in drain cleaning and garbage disposal repairs. Call (808) 526-3747 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to learn more about their services today.