The holidays bring family gatherings, big meals, and plenty of cooking—but they also bring one of the busiest times of year for plumbers. Between heavy kitchen use and extra guests in your home, it’s easy for food waste to end up in drains where it doesn’t belong. Knowing which foods are most likely to cause clogs can help you avoid a messy plumbing disaster.
Before your holiday feast turns into an emergency, call the experts at General Plumbing and Air Conditioning for professional drain cleaning in Lake Worth, FL.
1. Grease and Cooking Oils
Grease may pour down the drain as a liquid, but as it cools, it solidifies and coats the inside of your pipes. Over time, this sticky buildup traps food particles and leads to stubborn blockages. Always let grease cool, then scrape it into a disposable container before throwing it in the trash. Avoid rinsing greasy pans or dishes directly into the sink, even with hot water—it only delays the clog.
2. Bones and Hard Food Scraps
Chicken bones, turkey bones, and other dense food scraps can jam garbage disposals and damage their blades. Even small fragments can lodge in your pipes and cause backups that require professional removal. Keep a separate trash bin for bones and shellfish remains, and never rely on your garbage disposal to handle them.
3. Potato Peels and Starchy Foods
Mashed potatoes, pasta, and rice are holiday staples, but these starchy foods expand in water and form thick, sticky masses that cling to pipe walls. Potato peels, in particular, can wrap around disposal blades and block water flow. To prevent clogs, dispose of starches in the trash or compost bin instead of rinsing them down the sink.
4. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds may seem harmless, but they collect in pipes and mix with grease to create sludge-like clogs. Toss used grounds into your compost pile or garbage can. If you notice slow draining or gurgling sounds after frequent coffee disposal, it’s time to schedule a professional drain cleaning to clear buildup before it becomes a complete blockage.
5. Fibrous or Stringy Foods
Celery, corn husks, onion skins, and pumpkin pulp can wrap around disposal blades and tangle inside pipes. These fibrous materials resist breakdown and often require mechanical removal once a clog forms. Always toss them in the trash to avoid damage and costly plumbing repairs.
Holiday Plumbing Prevention Tips
A few simple habits can keep your drains flowing smoothly during the busiest cooking season of the year:
- Use sink strainers to catch food particles before they enter the drain.
- Run cold water while using your garbage disposal to help flush small debris.
- Schedule a preventative drain cleaning with General Plumbing before hosting guests to ensure your system is ready for increased use.
If water drains slowly or backs up, stop using the sink immediately and call for professional help.
Don’t let a clogged sink disrupt your holiday cheer. The licensed plumbers at General Plumbing and Air Conditioning provide fast, effective drain cleaning services throughout Lake Worth to keep your kitchen running smoothly all season long.
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