The holidays are right around the corner, and that means big meals, heavy cooking, and a lot of activity in your kitchen. Here at Carney All Seasons, we want to help you avoid messy backups and stressful calls for emergency fixes while you’re trying to enjoy time with friends and family. Many homeowners rely on us for plumbing in Lexington and Southampton, and we’re always happy to share expert advice to keep your home running smoothly during the busiest cooking season of the year.
Treat Your Garbage Disposal With Care
Your garbage disposal works hard, but it’s not designed to handle everything you throw at it during holiday meal prep. Items like poultry bones, fruit pits, eggshells, and seafood shells can damage the blades or jam the disposal’s motor. Fibrous foods—such as celery, potato peels, corn husks, and onion skins—are just as troublesome. These can tangle around the disposal’s moving parts and create blockages further down the drain.
To protect your system, scrape large food waste into the trash before rinsing dishes. Always run cold water for a few seconds before turning on the disposal, keep it running while the food is grinding, and continue running water for several seconds afterward.
Never Put Grease Down the Drain
Grease may be liquid while it’s hot, but as soon as it cools inside your plumbing, it turns solid. This hardened fat can stick to the inside of your pipes, trapping food particles, soap scum, and other debris over time. The result? Slow drains, foul odors, and stubborn clogs that don’t go away on their own.
Instead of pouring grease down the sink, allow it to cool in a heat-safe container and dispose of it in the trash once it firms up. You can also line a container with foil for easy cleanup. Wipe down greasy pans and plates with a paper towel before washing them. Even small amounts of grease add up, especially with holiday cooking.
Remember: butter, gravy, cheese sauces, and creamy dressings behave just like grease when they hit your pipes. Keep them out of the drain whenever possible.
Smart Holiday Cooking Prep Saves You Stress
Holiday cooking often means juggling multiple dishes at once. The last thing you need is a clogged sink or backed-up disposal when guests are eagerly waiting to eat. Use sink strainers to catch food scraps before they find their way into your pipes. Encourage helpers to scrape plates into the trash, not the sink, and keep compost bins or scrap bowls close to where you’re prepping meals.
If you have large pots or pans coated in baked-on food, soak them in warm, soapy water first. Letting debris soften reduces the amount you’ll need to rinse into the drain. It’s also a good idea to run your dishwasher before guests arrive so you can quickly cycle through dirty dishes instead of filling the sink.
Know When to Call Professionals
Slow drains, bubbling noises, and persistent smells are early warning signs of plumbing trouble. The sooner you address these issues, the less likely they’ll escalate during your holiday gathering. If you notice anything suspicious, reach out to a licensed plumbing team you trust.
Call Carney All Seasons today! We do what’s right for customers.