Don't Let Thanksgiving Feast Clog Your Drains!

Keep Your Pipes Happy This Thanksgiving: A Guide from White River Environmental

Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and, let's be honest, a whole lot of delicious food! But amidst the carving, feasting, and dishwashing, it's easy to forget that not everything belongs down your drain. White River Environmental is here with a friendly reminder to protect your pipes and septic system from holiday havoc.

Putting the wrong things down your drain can lead to costly drain clogs, septic tank backups, and even damage to your municipal sewer system. So, before you start rinsing those holiday dishes, let's play a quick game of "Can It Go Down the Drain?" Thanksgiving edition!

The "No-Go" List: Keep These Out of Your Kitchen Sink!

Here are some common Thanksgiving culprits that should never go down your kitchen sink:

1. Grease, Fat, and Oil (Gravy, Turkey Drippings, etc.): This is the BIGGEST offender! While liquid when hot, grease solidifies as it cools, sticking to your pipes and forming stubborn blockages. Even small amounts build up over time, creating significant drain clogs.

   • Instead: Pour cooled grease into an old can or jar, let it solidify completely, and then throw it in the trash. Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing.

2. Turkey Bones and Scraps: Even if you have a garbage disposal, large bones, skin, and fibrous turkey scraps can overwhelm it and lead to frustrating plumbing issues. Bones are especially problematic as they don't break down easily.

   • Instead: Dispose of all food scraps, bones, and skin in the trash or compost.

3. Potato Peels and Other Starchy Veggie Scraps: Potato peels, even small pieces, can become a thick, pasty sludge in your pipes when mixed with water. The same goes for large amounts of other starchy vegetable scraps, contributing to significant drain blockages.

   • Instead: Compost vegetable peels or toss them in the trash.

4. Celery Strings and Fibrous Vegetables: The stringy nature of celery, asparagus, and other fibrous veggies can tangle around your garbage disposal blades and create nasty clogs further down the line.

   • Instead: Trash these or add them to your compost pile.

5. Coffee Grounds: Many people believe coffee grounds help clean drains – they don't! They accumulate and create dense, sludgy blockages that are very difficult to clear.

   • Instead: Compost coffee grounds or throw them in the trash. They're great for gardens!

6. "Flushable" Wipes (Yes, Even the Ones That Say They're Flushable!): While not typically a Thanksgiving meal item, holiday guests might be using these. "Flushable" wipes do not break down like toilet paper and are a leading cause of sewer system blockages and septic tank issues.

   • Instead: Always dispose of wipes (and paper towels!) in the trash can.

Why Proper Waste Disposal Matters for Your Home & Septic System

Clogged drains are more than just an inconvenience. For homes with septic systems, improper waste disposal can lead to:

• Septic tank backups

• Damage to the drain field

• Costly septic tank pumping and repair services from professionals like White River Environmental.

For homes on municipal sewers, these items contribute to "fatbergs" – massive blockages in the sewer lines that can cause widespread issues and environmental problems. Protecting your drains is a vital part of home maintenance and preventing expensive emergency plumbing calls during the holiday season.

Trust White River Environmental for Your Waste Hauling & Septic Pumping Needs

This Thanksgiving, let's give thanks for clear pipes and healthy septic systems! By being mindful of what goes down your drain, you can help prevent holiday plumbing disasters and keep your home running smoothly.

If you do encounter a stubborn clog or need reliable septic tank pumping or waste hauling services, don't hesitate to contact White River Environmental. We're your local experts dedicated to keeping your environment clean and your systems flowing efficiently.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving from White River Environmental!