How to Protect Your Plumbing This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for family, good food, and cherished traditions, but it can also be a nightmare for your home’s plumbing. With extra people in the house, larger meals being cooked, and leftovers being disposed of, your plumbing system will be begging for mercy along with your stomach. We sometimes see an uptick in drain clogs around Thanksgiving and other holidays because of the added stress and some common mistakes.

We wrote this up as a guide to help you navigate this Thanksgiving without any drain disasters. We’ll go over some of the reasons for drain clogs and common holiday mistakes, what you can do to prevent them, and how to handle clogs if they do happen. With a little know-how, you can keep your drains running smoothly and avoid plumbing emergencies during the holiday.

Why Thanksgiving Is Tough on Your Drains

Thanksgiving places extra demand on your plumbing system for several reasons:

1. Heavy Cooking
   Thanksgiving dinners are often the largest meals of the year, with many dishes being prepared at once. Turkey grease, various oils, and loads of food scraps can wreak havoc on your pipes.

2. More Guests
   With more people in your home, there’s increased usage of sinks, toilets, and showers, adding to the strain on your plumbing and water heating systems.

3. Improper Disposal Habits
   Many people simply aren't aware of what shouldn’t go down the drain. Things like potato peels, bones, and turkey grease can cause serious blockages.

How Common Are Plumbing Issues Around Thanksgiving?

Plumbing problems spike during the holiday season, with Thanksgiving being one of the busiest times of the year for us plumbers! According to a study by ServiceTitan, the Monday before and after Thanksgiving are the busiest days for plumbing issues. Homeowners are either prepping their houses to handle the added load and rushing to fix any current problems, or they’re fixing new issues the Monday after. The main culprits? Drain clogs, backed-up garbage disposals, and overworked toilets.

Common Causes of Drain Clogs During Thanksgiving

Here’s a more detailed look at what could clog your drains during the holiday:

1. Grease and Oils
   Pouring turkey drippings or cooking oil down the sink is a recipe for disaster. These substances cool and harden in the pipes, leading to tough blockages that can cause serious issues.

2. Potato Peels and Starchy Foods
   Potato peels, rice, and pasta may seem harmless, but they swell when exposed to water, creating sticky clogs.

3. Fibrous Vegetables
   Vegetables like celery, asparagus, and onion skins are fibrous and can wrap around the blades of your garbage disposal, jamming it and clogging your drain.

4. Bones and Hard Food Scraps
   Turkey bones and other hard food bits don’t belong in your garbage disposal. They can damage the blades and create blockages in your pipes.

5. Paper Products
   Increased bathroom use during gatherings can lead to overuse of paper towels or other items that shouldn’t be flushed. These can clog toilets and sewer lines.

Preventing Thanksgiving Drain Clogs

With some care and preparation, most drain clogs can be avoided. Here are some tips to keep your plumbing system running smoothly this holiday season:

1. Dispose of Grease Properly

After cooking, let the grease cool and solidify. Scrape it into a container or bag and throw it in the trash. Never pour grease or oil down the sink. Never.

2. Use Sink Strainers

Place a strainer over your sink drain to catch food particles. This is an easy way to prevent scraps from entering your pipes and causing clogs. If your sink doesn’t have one, there are plenty of affordable options at most any store near you.

3. Be Smart With Your Garbage Disposal

Use your garbage disposal sparingly and avoid grinding fibrous vegetables, bones, or starchy foods. When using the disposal, run cold water at the same time to help flush the waste through the pipes.

4. Educate Your Guests

If you’re hosting, kindly remind guests what shouldn’t go down the sink or be flushed down the toilet. It might seem awkward, but it can save you from a plumbing emergency simply because someone didn’t know any better.

5. Dispose of Scraps Properly

Set up a compost bin or trash can nearby so it’s easy to throw away food scraps, napkins, and other waste.

Signs Your Drain Might Be Clogged

These are some telltale signs that your drain is beginning to clog. It’s time to act if you see any of these:

1. Slow Draining Water
   If water is taking longer than usual to go down the drain, it’s a sign that something is partially blocking the pipe.

2. Gurgling Sounds
   A gurgling or bubbling sound in your sink or toilet can indicate air trapped in the pipes due to a blockage.

3. Foul Odors
   If you notice unpleasant smells coming from your drains, it could be food waste or grease stuck in your pipes.

4. Water Backing Up
   Water backing up into the sink or dishwasher is a sure sign of a blockage that needs immediate attention.

What to Do If a Drain Clog Happens

So what do you do if it’s too late and the damage has been done? If you don’t mind a little DIY, the following steps can be a great place to start:

1. Use a Plunger

A plunger is a simple tool that can dislodge many minor clogs. Make sure there’s enough water in the sink to cover the plunger’s rubber cup, then plunge vigorously.

2. Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners

While it might be tempting to use store-bought drain cleaners, they can corrode your pipes and aren’t very effective on severe blockages.

3. Try a Drain Snake

For tougher clogs, a drain snake (also called a plumber’s auger) can help remove the blockage. Be careful not to push the clog further down the pipe. You want to either break it up or pull it up and out of the drain.

4. Call a Professional

If the clog persists or you’d rather let a professional handle it from the jump, contact a licensed plumber like Rx-Plumbing. They have the tools and experience to quickly and safely clear the blockage without damaging your pipes.

Why Choose RX-Plumbing?

Drain clogs can cause major disruptions, especially during busy times like holidays or family gatherings. By taking preventive measures and addressing issues early, you can keep your plumbing system in top shape. And when a clog or plumbing emergency does occur, Rx-Plumbing is quick to help.

As a locally owned and operated small business based in Cumming and Sugar Hill, Georgia, we’re committed to providing five-star service to our neighbors. Our licensed plumbers bring years of Master Plumbing experience and use state-of-the-art tools, including hydro jetting and camera inspections, to diagnose and resolve issues quickly and effectively. We love Thanksgiving as much as the next guy, so trust us when we say that we’ll do just about anything to ensure your plumbing runs smoothly – every day of the year!

Whether you’re dealing with a plumbing emergency or planning preventive maintenance, Rx-Plumbing is your trusted local team. Contact us today for a free estimate and experience the difference of working with a reliable, customer-focused plumbing service. Let us handle your plumbing worries, so you can enjoy the holidays with a focus on what matters most: the turkey ;)