Keep Your Drains Clear This Holiday Season

We see a lot of clogged drains over the holiday season. It makes sense, actually. You may have a lot more people in your house than you usually do, or you may be cooking a lot more food, in larger quantities, than normal. Both of these things can lead to an increase in clogged drains all over your home. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help prevent these problems!

Avoid Putting Grease Down Your Drains

When you’re cooking a lot of food and you’re in a hurry, it can be tempting to just pour all of the grease down your drain. However, grease congeals into a gel-like substance that sticks to almost everything else you put down your drain. You can create a huge clog over just a few days! Instead, pour your grease into a resealable container and throw it away. 

Put Food Waste in the Trash

Most food waste shouldn’t go down your garbage disposal, especially in large quantities. It can get stuck in your drain and cause a clog or immobilize your garbage disposal blades. You should especially avoid putting eggshells, coffee grounds, corn husks, potato peels, and bones down the disposal. 

Don’t Flush Solids Down Your Drains

Don’t let anyone flush anything other than toilet paper and human waste down the drain. This applies to feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, dental floss, paper towels, hair, tissues, Q-tips, cat litter, and anything else that someone might decide to flush. Just don’t do it! Make sure there is ample trash can space so that people have other options. 

Clean Out Drain Overflow Spaces

Get to know your sinks! Most have pop-up drain assemblies that can be pulled out and cleaned regularly. These are designed to trap water and soap in the sink when you need them there, but they can also collect soap scum, hair, and more. To clean them, close the pop-up valve. Fill your sink with water and a little bit of soap until the water line is just below the overflow hole. Add a cup of bleach to the water, then turn the tap on and run hot water for about 10 minutes. When you’re done, drain the entire sink again. 

Rinse Out Your Garbage Disposal

Every few days, pour a half cup of dishwashing fluid down your drain, then run lukewarm water for a minute or so after it. This should clean out your drains and keep them flowing freely. You may want to do this every day during the holiday season if you tend to have drain problems.

Call for Drain Cleaning in Santa Cruz

You can always call us at Rosenthal Plumbing for help with your drains, too. When our professional plumbers come to your home for drain cleaning they will, identify the source of your clogged pipes and clear it out fast with either a plumbing rod or using a high pressure water stream, a method called hydro-jetting, clean up anything that needs to be and make sure you’re satisfied with the result before leaving so you can get back to your holiday fun! Give us at Rosenthal Plumbing a call any time for emergency plumbing help in Santa Cruz and we’ll be there fast!