Thanksgiving – a time for feasting, family, and maybe a little football. As you prepare for the big feast, you may not be thinking about the potential plumbing nightmares that can arise in the wake of all that delicious cooking.
At Garden City Plumbing and Heating, we want to ensure your holiday celebrations go off without a hitch, so let’s dive into the Thanksgiving cooking guide of what not to put down the drain!
1. Grease
After cooking your turkey to golden perfection, you may be tempted to pour leftover grease down the sink. Stop right there! While it may seem like a quick solution, grease can solidify in your pipes, leading to nasty clogs that can put a damper on your festivities. Instead, let the grease cool and harden in a container, then toss it in the trash. Your plumbing will thank you, and so will your Thanksgiving guests when they aren’t stuck in a kitchen with a backed-up sink!
2. Potato Peels
If you’re making mashed potatoes this Thanksgiving (and who isn’t?), resist the urge to dump those potato peels down the drain. Potato peels can create a starchy paste that clogs pipes. To avoid this disaster, gather your peels in a compost bin or toss them in the trash.
3. Stuffing
Whether it’s homemade or from a box, stuffing has a sneaky way of getting stuck in your drain. Its fluffy texture and likelihood to clump can create blockages that can ruin your Thanksgiving cheer. Instead of flushing it down, dispose of stuffing in the trash. If your stuffing is a family recipe, you might want to keep it out of the drain for another reason – so you can enjoy every last crumb!
4. Rice and Pasta
Rice and pasta may seem harmless, but once they hit water, they expand like a balloon which can lead to clogs. When it comes to these starchy staples, stick to the old saying: “When in doubt, throw it out!”
5. Eggshells
It may sound like a great idea to dispose of eggshells in the garbage disposal, but these hard shells can wreak havoc on your plumbing. They can accumulate and form a gritty sludge that leads to clogs. Instead of risking a clog, throw those shells away and save your pipes from extra stress.
6. Coffee Grounds
After brewing your post-dinner coffee, resist the temptation to pour those used coffee grounds down the drain. They can combine with grease and other debris, clogging your pipes which can be a headache to deal with. Dump the grounds in the trash instead and avoid giving your plumbing an unwanted holiday surprise
7. Vegetable Scraps
Just like potato peels, other vegetable scraps can be troublesome for your plumbing. Carrot tops, celery ends, and onion skins can create a fibrous mess that clogs pipes. Instead of sending them down the drain, chop them up for compost or toss them in the trash. Your plumbing and your Thanksgiving meal will benefit!
Keep the Holiday Spirit Flowing with Garden City
As you gear up for Thanksgiving, remember that your plumbing can only take so much. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can keep your drains happy and flowing smoothly, ensuring a joyful holiday for you and your guests.
If you do run into any plumbing issues this Thanksgiving, don’t hesitate to reach out to Garden City Plumbing and Heating for your Missoula, Montana home. We’re here to help you keep the holiday spirit flowing, without any plumbing mishaps! To schedule your appointment, give us a call at (406) 728-5550