The Sunday of the Big Game is known for a lot of things: its amazing commercials, spectacular half-time shows, and delicious snacks. If you’ve been to or hosted a Big Game event, you know you’re in for a lot of foods that aren’t exactly good for you.
In fact, right after Thanksgiving, Big Game Sunday is the busiest day of the year for plumbing companies. Unfortunately, all those snacks and the number of party guests can wreak some serious havoc on plumbing systems. Let’s go over four ways you can get your home’s plumbing Big Game ready and avoid the need for a Mission Viejo plumber.
1. Dispose of Grease Properly
Have you ever been to a football game party where you were served healthy snacks such as salads and veggies? We didn’t think so. Big Game parties are are known for one thing: delicious, unhealthy foods.
And what’s the one ingredient that’s common among chicken wings, cheesy dips, loaded nachos, tangy meatballs, juicy sliders, little smokies, and bacon-wrapped anything? That’s right: it’s fat, oil, and grease. These are so detrimental to plumbing systems that it has its own acronym: FOGs.
If you’re hosting a party, that means you’ll be cooking a lot of food and having to dispose of a lot of grease. Be sure to pour it in the garbage can and not down the kitchen sink where it’ll solidify and result in a major clog.
2. Review What Shouldn’t Go Down the Disposal
While Big Game Sunday is devoted to fun and festivities, it’s also a hectic day—especially if you’re hosting the party. You might absent-mindedly throw something down the drain or fail to see one of your guests do the same.
Why not post this list of common snacks by the kitchen sink as a gentle reminder of what shouldn’t go down the kitchen sink for both you and your guests?
Do not put these items down the kitchen sink: Grease, fat, oil, bones, chicken wings, potato skins, tater tots, onion skins, pasta salad, egg shells, corn cobs and husks, shrimp shells, coffee grounds, and vegetables.
3. Locate Your Water Shut-Off Valve Is
If you don’t know where your home’s master water shut-off valve is, now’s a good time to find it. The master shut-off valve turns off the water to your home. If you do experience a major plumbing problem, you’ll be able to turn off the water at the source and hopefully curtail some of the damage that would occur.
4. Schedule Drain Cleaning
For any day of the year, the best way to avoid major clogs and the need for emergency plumbing services is to have your drains cleaned regularly. This can be done as part of an annual checkup on your plumbing system or can be scheduled separately.
With a pre-emptive drain cleaning, you can kick back and enjoy the Big Game without having to worry about a plumbing disaster.
Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air has served Orange County since 1981. Schedule plumbing services with our plumbing technicians today.