Avoid A Holiday Drain Disaster - A-Abel Family of Companies

The holidays are here and Thanksgiving is the #1 day for clogged drains! While you’re focused on the perfect turkey and gathering with family, your plumbing system is preparing for its busiest, most stressful time of the year.

The biggest threat to your holiday peace? The infamous Thanksgiving clog – a massive, stubborn blockage born in your kitchen sink. This year, don’t let a kitchen mishap ruin your feast.

Clogged Drain

Here is why holiday drains clog, and how you can prevent a true plumbing disaster.

Why Clogs Happen?

During a typical week, your plumbing handles small amounts of food scraps. But during a big holiday meal, everything changes. The volume of food waste increases tenfold, and the types of materials entering your drain are especially dangerous.

The main culprits creating the ultimate holiday clogs are FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease) and starchy, fibrous foods.

1.The Deadly Trio: Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)

You might think pouring liquid grease down the drain is fine, especially when followed by hot water. Think again!

- The Trap: As soon as hot grease, oil, or fat hits the cool pipes below your sink it begins to solidify.
- The Buildup: Over time, this grease sticks to the inner walls of your pipes, catching other debris and slowly choking the water flow.
- The Disaster: When a large volume of holiday water hits that solid buildup, it has nowhere to go back up into your sink.
- Crucial Rule: Never, ever pour grease, cooking oil, or bacon fat down your kitchen sink or into your garbage disposal

2. The Fiber and Starch Problem

Your garbage disposal is designed to handle small, soft scraps – not a massive volume of holiday waste. The following foods are notorious for turning into a thick, sticky paste inside your pipes:

- Potato Peels: Starch mixes with water to become a gluey consistency.
- Rice and Pasta: These expand when wet, quickly filling small drain lines.
- Coffee Grounds: They don’t dissolve and act like a heavy sand, settling and building massive clogs.
- Fibrous Vegetables: Celery stalks, onion skins, and corn husks easily wrap around the disposal blades and jam the unit.
- Turkey Bones and Skin: These are too hard for disposals and often end up stuck in your drainpipe.

Garbage Disposal

Your Pre-Feast and Post-Feast Plumbing Checklist

Don’t wait for gurgling sound of disaster! Follow these simple steps to protect your plumbing this holiday season:

Pre-Feast Preparation
- Do a Drain Check: If any sink, tub, or toilet is draining slowly before the holiday, address it now. A slow drain will definitely become a full clog under heavy use.
- Know Your Main Cleanout: Locate the main sewer cleanout for your home. If a major backup occurs, knowing where this is located will save precious time for you and your plumber.
- Put Strainers in Place: Use a strainer in your sink to help collect any debris that could lead to a potential clog.
The Golden Rule of Disposal
- Scrape the Plate: Before rinsing dishes, scrape all food waste, grease, and fat directly into the trash can. use paper towels to wipe pots and pans clean before washing.
- Containerize the Grease: Pour leftover cooking oil and grease into an old can or jar. Once it cools and solidifies, toss it in the garbage.
- Run Cold Water: Run plenty of water while running the disposal. Before, during, and after. Ideally, you run cold water while the disposal is running.
Post-Meal Care
- Run Hot Water: Run hot water when the disposal is off so it doesn’t overheat and trip the thermal switch on the bottom of the unit itself.
- Only Use Disposal for Soft Scraps: Use it sparingly for small amount of soft food waste only.

Garbage Disposal

Facing a Clog?

If, despite your best efforts, you run into a persistent clog or a nasty backup, resist the urge to use harsh chemical drain cleaners. These products often only partially clear the blockage and can damage your pipes over time.

Instead, turn off the water and call us immediately! We have the professional tools – like drain snaking and hydro jetting – to remove even the most stubborn “Thanksgiving Clog” without harming your system. Wishing you a happy, safe, and clog-free holiday season!

FAQ’s:

My kitchen sink drains slowly right now. Should I address it before Thanksgiving?
- Absolutely. A drain that is slow now is highly likely to become a complete clog under the heavy water and waste volume of a holiday meal. It’s best to have a plumber clear the line before the holiday to prevent a messy backup during your dinner.
What’s the best way to dispose of cooking oil after frying a turkey?
- Allow the oil to cool completely, then pour it into a sturdy, non-recyclable container (like an empty milk jug or coffee can) that can be sealed. Once sealed, you can dispose of it with your regular garbage. Do not pour it outside or down any drain.
Should I use a liquid drain cleaner if my sink starts gurgling?
- We strongly advise against using chemical drain cleaners. They often only burn a small hole through the blockage, leaving the large, sticky clog intact. Furthermore, the harsh chemicals can damage your pipes (especially older ones) and pose a safety risk to our plumbers if we need to service the drain afterward. Turn off the water and call a professional instead.
Why is locating the main sewer cleanout important?
- If a severe backup occurs (especially one involving wastewater from multiple fixtures), the main cleanout is the point where a plumber can most quickly and effectively access your main sewer line to clear the obstruction. Knowing its location – usually outside or in the basement – saves significant time during a high-stress emergency.