5 Plumbing Tips for a Stress-free Winter
Understand what can and cannot run through the garbage disposal.
It can be tempting to treat your garbage disposal like a trash can but don’t make this mistake–especially during the winter. Your garbage disposal is not designed to cut through most foods, so be mindful of what you are putting down the sink. Some simple guidelines:
- Food that will cause blockages: oil, fat, bones, egg shells, pasta, turkey meat, rice, carrots, potatoes, celery, onions, coffee grounds, and much more. All of these items should be thrown in the garbage (or, for the coffee grounds, reused). For more tips on this topic, check out our article on tips to keep your drains clog-free.
- Make sure to always run cold water with your garbage disposal, and if your garbage disposal does break, don’t try to fix it yourself. Garbage disposals are one of the more difficult kitchen appliances to fix, so give a plumber a call.
Use a sink strainer to prevent foods from going down the drain.
Winter cooking involves a lot of kitchen work, so take some preventative steps to make sure your appliances stay working. While preparing your meal, use a sink strainer to prevent food and utensils from clogging your drains.
When the whole family is staying over, wait 15 minutes between showers.
Your drains need time to clear between runs, and while this isn’t typically an issue, an entire house full of guests can easily clog up your shower drains. Wait at least 15 minutes between each person’s shower to give your drains time to clear, as well as replenish the source of hot water.
There are only two things that should be flushed down your toilet.
Your plumbing system is meant to handle only two things: toilet paper and human waste. It might be worth gently reminding your guests of this rule, or posting a sign in the bathrooms warning guests to throw away these items:
- Sanitary napkins/feminine products
- Paper towels
- Wipes
- Cotton balls and swabs
Take care of existing plumbing problems before new ones arrive.
As much as we would love to service your home over the winter, the last person you probably want to spend your free time with is your local plumber. With more guests in your home during the winter using your house’s appliances, an unresolved plumbing issue will grow into a major problem that cannot be ignored. Take care of existing plumbing issues before family gatherings to keep your guests happy and carefree.
If you do already have an issue that needs fixing, Lowery Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning is here to help. We offer professional plumbing services on the South Plains. Give us a call at (806) 741-0519 or visit our website at https://www.trustlowery.com for more information.
