Don’t Let Thanksgiving Turn Into a Plumbing Disaster

For many, the day after Thanksgiving is about spending quality time with your family and hunting down the best Black Friday deals. For plumbers, however, it’s the single busiest day of the year.

In fact, plumbing problems spike by 50 percent the day after Thanksgiving. Think about it—all of those wayward turkey scraps and greasy dishes usually wind up in the sink, where they can easily clog the drain.

Plus, a sudden influx of bathroom visits by houseguests doesn’t do your pipes any favors.

Since plumbers generally charge overtime for a holiday house call, you could be looking at a $125-$300 bill to repair a clogged drain or toilet.

Don’t become a statistic! Take the following precautions to keep your pipes safe this Thanksgiving:

Be good to your garbage disposal

Repeat after us: My garbage disposal is not a trash can.

As much as possible, throw leftovers in the trash or compost pile. Avoid putting turkey bones, poultry skin, potato peels, celery and fruit down the disposal.

When you do use your disposal, feed waste gradually to prevent overloading and run water when you use the disposal and keep it running for a few seconds after you turn the disposal off.

Grease and fat are garbage

Avoid pouring fat and cooking oil down the drain. Instead, collect it in an old jar or milk carton, seal it tightly and toss it in the garbage. Also, be sure to wipe off greasy pans before putting them in the sink.

Steer clear of dishwasher disasters

Don’t operate the dishwasher if you think there might be a problem with your garbage disposal—dishwashers discharge right into disposals.

Tackling toilet trouble

If you run into toilet trouble, take a crack at fixing the clog yourself before you resort to professional (and expensive) help.

BrightNest is a free site that provides tools and tips to homeowners to help them save money, get organized and keep their home in great shape.