Now that autumn has arrived, people are gearing up for the holidays. This time of year always means family get-togethers, large meals, and plenty of cooking. These festive activities can put an unusual strain on your plumbing system. To prevent clogs and other problems, here are a few tips to help you care for your pipes during the holiday season.

3 Holiday Plumbing Care Tips

1. Get a Hair Trap

If you have out-of-town friends and family visiting for the holidays, install a hair trap in the bathtub to keep long strands out of the plumbing. Hair can bond with soap scum, forming a gooey substance that will easily cause clogs. Maintain the mesh hair trap by emptying it every day when your guests aren’t home.

2. Keep the Drains Clear

Grease and flour can adhere to the walls of your drain pipes, attracting other debris and causing clogs. Turkey grease should be collected in a disposable container and allowed to cool and harden. Once it has settled, dispose of it in the trash. Similarly, leftover baking flour from holiday cookies should be tossed in the garbage instead of rinsed down the drain.

3. Use Extra Wastebaskets

Place a small trash bin in the guest bath- and bedroom so that visitors can safely discard feminine products, baby wipes, and cotton swabs. These products expand when wet and can clog pipes. Take it a step further by adding wastebaskets at the house’s entrance and in the washroom so that guests always have a place to discard items that may harm your plumbing system.

 

If you want to get your pipes inspected before the holidays arrive, contact the skilled team at Emery Plumbing in Hilo, HI. Since 2001, these professionals have helped Big Island residents maintain their plumbing systems, even offering 24/7 emergency assistance. View their full list of services online, or call (808) 960-8826 to schedule an appointment.