Tips On Protecting Your Garbage Disposal From Thanksgiving Disasters

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

23 Nov 2006 10:01 AM

Did you know the day after Thanksgiving is considered the busiest day of the year for plumbers? That's right, it's as much a part of Thanksgiving as turkey and pumpkin pie. According to the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors Association, each year a record number of plumbers receive calls from people who've clogged their drains on Turkey Day.

If you think about it, it certainly makes sense. Once we are done stuffing our guts, we often stuff our garbage disposals with Thanksgiving scraps. In most cases--overstuff--our garbage disposals and overload the system, which in turn gives plumbers a lot of drains to unplug.

That said here are some tips from the professionals on what NOT to stuff down your drain on this big feast day:

1. The absolute no-no: Grease. Plumbers say grease and drains don't mix. They say you should NEVER pour grease down your drain. Instead, experts suggest you dispose of grease in a jar or can and throw it out in the trash.

2. Avoid potato skins, carrot peels, and celery. Plumbers say the vegetable refuse can easily clog up a garbage disposal. They say celery is a garbage disposal's enemy. Most disposals simply can't properly dispose of the stringy vegetable. Instead of stuffing it down your drain, plumbers recommend bagging it up and tossing it out.

3. Plumbers say you should also avoid small turkey bones. The disposal just can't grind them up.

If you do get a back up, before you reach for a phone to call a plumber try pressing the red reset button located underneath your garbage disposal. A visit from a pro will cost you big on Thanksgiving. Some plumbers charge up to $180 an hour for making a house call on Turkey Day. The day after Thanksgiving is no bargain either---since it is a plumber's busiest day of the year you can expect long wait times and a whopper of a bill.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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