The last thing you want to do this Christmas is to spend your time looking for an emergency plumber. So, here are some ways to avoid the stress of finding emergency plumbing services on Christmas.
Don’t Dump Your Leftover Down the Drain
Some people would just do a repeat of Thanksgiving dish for Christmas dinner. In my family, the menu for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day changes every year and it always consists of something different. Last year, for example, included roast beef with horseradish, roast lamb with mint sauce, mashed potatoes, buttered carrots, roast parsnips, leeks cooked in white wine and cream, glazed ham with cheesy scalloped potatoes and cheesecake or dulce de leche cake for dessert – we’ve got a huge family so.
Now, it’s obvious that with this huge amount of food, there’ll be a mountain of greasy and oily leftovers. And, most of the time, people don’t think of reusing these leftovers and would just throw them away. Re-cook them or dump them, that’s your choice, but please don’t pour them down the drain.
9 times out of 10 kitchen sink drains clog when hot grease or fat and other food scraps are poured down the drain. You might usually be very careful about such stuff, but during Christmas, when you are busy cooking the Christmas feast, you might dump cooking grease or some leftover food down the drain. And, once poured down, the hot grease or fat can melt a hole in the flimsy plastic disposable container and as it goes further down, it will cool down and solidify. This will then cause build-ups and clog your kitchen drain.
So, if you don’t want to end up with a clogged kitchen drain on Christmas, make sure you don’t dump any unwanted leftovers down the drain. And, if you can’t resist the urge to scrape the leftovers off into your sink, I suggest pouring down a cup of baking soda down the kitchen sink, followed by a cup of distilled white vinegar. Wait for 15 minutes and then run some hot tap water down the drain. For more information about unclogging kitchen sinks, click here.
Ensure the Plumbing of Your House Is Well Maintained
Christmas is the festival we all love but it’s also the period when we have many visitors over and this can really take a toll on your toilets, showers, sinks and dishwasher. So, if your family or friends are going to stay with you this holiday season and if you want to give your holiday guests the feeling or being cared for, you need to make sure that your house’s plumbing system is in good condition.
To avoid any plumbing issues this Christmas, here are some suggestions:
- Start by creating a preventative maintenance schedule.
- Make sure to fix or repair any leaking faucets or showerheads.
- Check all appliances for any water leaks.
- Install screens over drains in showers and tubs (optional)
- Check to see if everything flushes and drains away quickly so that you can know there is no possibility of a large blockage occurring during Christmas season.
- Pull out any clumps of hair you can see in the shower drain.
- When you are cleaning your bathroom or kitchen sinks, make sure to use non-toxic cleaners and opt for DIY cleaning solutions.
If you want to be on the safe side, I strongly suggest you hire a professional plumber to have a look at your home’s plumbing system and give a review if there’s anything to be replaced or fixed.
Put a Bin in the Bathroom
A common mistake that is often overlooked by people is throwing waste in the toilet.
Urine, feces and toilet paper are the only three things that can be flushed down the toilet. However, people have the habit of flushing sanitary napkins, cleansing wipes, facial pads and cigarette butts down the toilet. And, unfortunately, these items are classified as common household items that can clog toilet pipes.
So, please supply a bin in the bathroom so that your holiday guests know where to throw unwanted items.
