11/26/2025
To avoid Thanksgiving Day plumbing problems, DO run the garbage disposal with water when in use, put a wastebasket in the bathroom for guests, and run hot water in showers periodically to let the water heater recover. DON'T put grease, fats, bones, or stringy foods down the drain or disposal, and never flush anything other than toilet paper and human waste.
DO:
*Run the disposal with water: Always run the water when using the garbage disposal, and turn it on before adding food scraps.
*Scrape plates: Scrape food scraps into the trash can instead of the sink.
*Use drain strainers: Put strainers in all sink and shower drains to catch food and hair.
*Provide a bathroom wastebasket: Place a lined wastebasket in the bathroom to encourage guests to throw away items like cotton swabs and wet wipes instead of flushing them.
*Schedule showers: Wait 10 to 15 minutes between showers to allow the water heater to recover and prevent drain strain.
*Check drains beforehand: Before guests arrive, check all sinks and drains for slow draining or gurgling sounds.
*Have a plunger ready: Keep a plunger in the bathroom for easy access in case of a clog.
DON'T:
*Pour grease down the drain: Never pour cooking oil or grease down the sink; it solidifies in pipes and causes clogs. Wipe greasy pots with paper towels and throw them away instead.
*Put fibrous or starchy items in the disposal: Avoid putting stringy vegetables like celery, as well as potato peels, fruit rinds, and coffee grounds, into the garbage disposal.
*Flush non-flushable items: Never flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper, including wet wipes (even those labeled "flushable"), cotton balls, and feminine hygiene products.
*Run too many appliances at once: Avoid running the dishwasher, washing machine, or laundry while multiple people are showering.
*Overload the disposal: Avoid putting large amounts of food waste down the disposal at once.
*Overestimate the disposal's capabilities: Even powerful disposals can't handle things like turkey bones.
