Clogged Drains During the Holidays: How to Prevent and Address Drainage Issues
The holidays are a time for celebration, family gatherings, and delicious meals, but they can also bring about some unexpected headaches — especially when it comes to your plumbing. One of the most common issues homeowners face during the holiday season is clogged drains. With more people in your home, an increase in cooking, and a higher demand on your drainage system, it’s no surprise that plumbing problems, particularly clogged drains, tend to spike.
In this article, we’ll discuss why clogged drains are more common during the holidays, the importance of proper drain maintenance, and when it’s time to call in a professional clogged drain cleaner to resolve your issues.
Why Drains Get Clogged During the Holidays
The holidays put an extra strain on your drainage system. With increased foot traffic in your home and large family meals, your drains are working overtime. Several factors contribute to this:
Cooking Grease and Food Scraps: During the holidays, kitchens see a lot of action. Whether it’s Thanksgiving dinner or a Christmas feast, large quantities of grease, oils, and food scraps often end up in the kitchen sink. Many people mistakenly assume their garbage disposal can handle anything, but even disposals have their limits. Items like grease, potato peels, coffee grounds, and fibrous vegetables can wreak havoc on your drainage system, leading to clogs that require professional drain cleaning.
Extra Bathroom Usage: When hosting family or friends, your bathroom gets much more use than usual. This means more toilet paper, hair, and soap scum being flushed or washed down the drains. Over time, this buildup can slow the drainage system, eventually leading to a complete blockage.
Cold Weather: If temperatures drop during the holidays, the cold weather can make existing drainage issues worse. Cold temperatures can cause grease and fats to harden more quickly in your pipes, contributing to blockages that require a clogged drain cleaner to fix.
Common Culprits for Holiday Drain Clogs
Knowing what typically causes holiday clogs can help you prevent them. Here are some of the most common items that contribute to clogged drains during the holiday season:
Grease and oil: As mentioned earlier, pouring grease down the drain is one of the biggest offenders. Grease solidifies as it cools and sticks to the walls of your pipes, leading to a blocked drainage system.
Fibrous vegetables: Foods like celery, potato peels, and corn husks are tough on garbage disposals and can easily become tangled in the blades, leading to a backup.
Coffee grounds: Many people assume coffee grounds are harmless, but they can accumulate in your drains and form a sludge-like substance that contributes to blockages.
Eggshells: Eggshells are often thrown into the garbage disposal, but the sharp edges can stick to other food particles and create a drain-clogging paste.
Flour and starchy foods: Flour, pasta, and rice may seem like harmless kitchen items, but when mixed with water, they form a thick paste that can coat your pipes and lead to clogs.
Tips to Prevent Clogged Drains During the Holidays
Prevention is key when it comes to clogged drains, especially during the holidays. Here are some practical tips to keep your drains running smoothly:
Be Mindful of What Goes Down the Drain: One of the simplest ways to prevent clogged drains is to be careful about what you put down the sink. Avoid pouring grease, oil, or fat down the drain, and instead dispose of them in a sealed container that can be thrown in the trash. Use a sink strainer to catch food particles and debris before they enter your drainage system.
Run Hot Water: After using your sink, especially if you’ve been washing dishes or dealing with greasy pans, run hot water down the drain for a few minutes. This helps melt away any grease or food residue and keeps your drainage system flowing smoothly.
Use a Drain Guard in the Shower: Bathroom drains are notorious for clogging due to hair, soap scum, and other debris. Using a drain guard in your shower can help prevent hair from entering the drain and causing a clog.
Flush the Drains Regularly: Regularly flushing your drains with a mixture of hot water, baking soda, and vinegar can help keep them clear of buildup. This natural solution works as a preventative measure, breaking down grease and debris before they have a chance to form a clog.
Schedule Routine Drain Cleaning: One of the best ways to ensure your drainage system is working optimally is to schedule routine drain cleaning with a professional. A clogged drain cleaner can remove debris and buildup that you may not be able to reach with household solutions. This is especially important if you notice slow drains, gurgling sounds, or foul odors coming from your sinks.
When to Call Sanders for Clogged Drains
While preventative measures are helpful, there are times when you’ll need to call in a professional plumber for drain cleaning. If you experience any of the following signs, it’s time to contact a clogged drain cleaner:
Slow Drains: If water is draining slowly in your sink, tub, or shower, this is a sign of a developing clog. Don’t wait for it to get worse—address it early by scheduling a professional drain cleaning.
Standing Water: Standing water in your sink or tub is a clear sign that your drainage system is blocked. Attempting to clear this on your own may only provide temporary relief, so it’s best to call in an expert to address the root cause of the clog.
Frequent Clogs: If you find yourself dealing with clogs on a regular basis, there may be a larger issue with your drainage system. A plumber can diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of action, whether it’s cleaning the drains or addressing a more serious underlying issue.
Foul Odors: If you notice unpleasant smells coming from your drains, this could be a sign of trapped food or debris. A professional clogged drain cleaner can remove the blockage and eliminate the odor.
Multiple Clogs: If more than one drain in your home is clogged, you may be dealing with a sewer line issue. In this case, it’s crucial to call a plumber immediately, as a sewer backup can cause extensive damage to your home.
How We Can Help
Professional plumbers have the tools and expertise to address even the toughest clogs. Whether it’s a buildup of grease, food, or hair, a professional clogged drain cleaner can use specialized equipment to clear your pipes and restore proper function to your drainage system.
Additionally, plumbers can perform an inspection of your drainage system to identify any potential issues that could lead to future clogs. By addressing these problems early, you can avoid more costly repairs down the road.
Keep Your Drains Clear This Holiday Season
The holidays are a time to enjoy with family and friends — not to deal with clogged drains and plumbing headaches. By following the prevention tips outlined in this article and knowing when to call in a professional clogged drain cleaner, you can keep your drainage system running smoothly and avoid plumbing issues during the busiest time of the year.
If you’re dealing with a clogged drain or need routine drain cleaning, Sanders Plumbing HVAC is here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced plumbers, and enjoy a stress-free holiday season with clear and functional drains!