Happy Valentine’s Day! How will you be spending it? Whisked away to Paris for the weekend? Hmm, perhaps that would be a bit much to ask. Might you be spending it at home, cooking for your beloved, or maybe making a meal together? That can be even more romantic than a fancy getaway. But not if your evening plans are interrupted by plumbing problems!
When you’re cooking a special meal for a holiday or special occasion, you’re likely to do things that put extra strain on your plumbing. (This is why the #1 busiest day for plumbers in the US is the day after Thanksgiving!) What should you do to make sure you can enjoy your romantic dinner in peace rather than running around looking for a plunger? Here are our tips.
1: Be Kind to Your Garbage Disposal
It might be called a “garbage” disposal, but it doesn’t do well with actual trash! Some things definitely belong in the bin and not down the sink. Hard things like bones and pits, and tough or stringy things like celery stalks or corn husks need to stay out of the disposal. Also avoid anything starchy that will soak up more and more water and cause a clog, like rice.
There is something else you can do to freshen up your disposal and make your kitchen smell lovely before you start preparing dinner. Citrus peels, as long as they’re cut into small pieces, can go down the disposal, and the aroma will get your evening off to a good start.
2: Watch Out for Grease
Fats, oils, and grease: the substances plumbers refer to as FOG are terrible for your drain pipes! Imagine, if you will, washing a greasy dish with hot water. The grease just melts away, slipping down the sink drain and vanishing. But what happens to it next? Where does it go?
Unfortunately, it doesn’t go anywhere. After you stop running that hot water, the grease will cool down. And if you’ve ever observed the difference between warm and melty butter and a cold stick straight out of the fridge, you can guess what will happen. Cold fat solidifies, and it can clog your sink and cause your dirty, smelly dish water to back up. That’s not very romantic!
The solution is simple. Just wipe down any dishes with a paper towel before you put them in the sink. The paper towel—and the grease—can go in the trash, and your dish water can run easily down your unclogged drain.
3: Take Preventive Measures
If you’ve already got some concerns about your plumbing, schedule an appointment now! You can address existing problems so they won’t turn into romance-ruining emergencies. If your garbage disposal has been difficult or finicky, or your sinks have been draining too slowly, you can get the help you need from a qualified plumber.
Your garbage disposal will last longer if it’s serviced as soon as you notice a minor concern. And you don’t have to wait until there’s a major clog to get drain cleaning in Glenview, IL. Doing it sooner can prevent those serious (and smelly!) issues before they derail your plans.
For expert plumbing service, contact Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. Our knowledgeable plumbers serve the North Shore and Northwest Chicago suburbs. Rely on Reliance!