Preventing the Holiday Plumbing Blues

Plumbing issues are the last thing you want when hosting visiting friends and relatives for the holidays. However, the extra company means extra work for your plumbing and a higher chance of something getting clogged. Here are some easy ways to prevent the top three causes of the holiday plumbing blues. Keep reading to learn more from the experts at Best Plumbing!

Clogged Toilets

Visitors often admire the lovely Craftsman style homes found throughout the Seattle area. However, they might not realize that things easily handled by modern plumbing systems can cause problems here since many of these homes also have old pipework. Common culprits for toilet clogs are sanitary napkins, paper towels, and the occasional child’s toy. To help prevent clogs, hang a sign over the toilet letting guests know what not to flush and place a small wastebasket nearby for convenience. Also, keep a plunger handy!

Slow Draining Sinks, Showers, and Tubs

Sinks, showers, and tubs in the bathroom can become clogged over time as loose hair, shaving cream, and soap scum build up inside the pipe. This process speeds up the more people you have in the home. Investing in some drain filters is a simple way to catch this debris and keep your drains from slowing down.

Garbage Disposal Clogs

The extra company also means extra dishes and too many food scrapes washing down the sink can overwork your garbage disposal. Before visitors arrive, turn on the sink and run the disposal unit on empty to help clear out any buildup. Then throw in some ice cubes to help sharpen the blades and scrape grease and food items off the walls. Remind your guests about items that shouldn’t be placed down the garbage disposal, such as bones and fibrous vegetables like celery and potato peels. Also, inform visitors that Seattle has a city composting program and show them where you keep your bin to collect food scraps. Finally, have some old containers on standby to pour grease into so you can throw it in the trash.

By following these tips, you can avoid holiday plumbing woes and keep your guests happy. And remember, if something does happen, just call Best Plumbing at (206) 622-1700. Our expert plumbers will quickly come out and fix your plumbing so that you can focus on spending time with your loved one!