Car maintenance. Energy bills. Home insurance. UGH, some parts of being an adult really stink, with plumbing issues topping that list.

HA – sorry, I had to make at least one pun. Now back to adulting…

Unfortunately, the holiday season is prime time for plumbing disasters to strike! Frigid temperatures paired with increased use of drains and garburators while preparing holiday meals can wreak havoc on a home’s piping system.

Thankfully, I’ve got you covered with ALL the winter plumbing tips and tricks.

I caught up with the pros over at Mr. Rooter Plumbing who shared their expert hacks on how to avoid plumbing issues this Christmastime. We compiled advice on how to keep your drains, toilets and garburators in tip-top shape, as well as plumbing tips on how to unclog them and prevent future issues!

Plumbing Tips for Drains

Unclogging drains

Are your drains backed up? Well, if your pantry’s stocked with baking soda and vinegar, you’re in luck!

Simply mix 1/3 cup of baking soda with 1/3 cup of vinegar. Once combined, it’ll start to fizz. Pour it down your drain immediately and that fizzing action will help break down the gunk in your drains. Let it sit for at least an hour (though overnight is even better) and then flush it out with hot water.

And voila – the gunk and grime will be gone!

Preventing clogged drains

To prevent future clogs in the kitchen, use a sink strainer to effectively trap food and debris.

And GIRL, don’t even THINK about pouring fats, grease and oils down your drain as they can congeal and clog your pipes. It’s REAL bad.

Instead, while prepping that holiday turkey, use a grease holder to allow oils to cool off and then scrape them into the trash once hardened.

Plumbing Tips for Toilets

How to unclog toilets

Clogged toilet? That stinks.

HA – sorry, okay, I promise I’m done with the puns now …

If you’re toilet is clogged, don’t listen to that voice in your head telling you to repeatedly flush the toilet until it eventually just fixes itself. Chances are, it’ll overflow!

Instead, reach for your trusty plunger. Make sure you have a good connection with the plunger and toilet and begin the plunging motion with a good amount of force behind it. The goal is to push the blockage through, so use quick and repetitive movements.

Watch for movement in the toilet and be sure the water is draining before you attempt to flush it again.

Never pour a chemical drain cleaner down your toilet: harsh chemicals can irritate your skin and eyes or cause damage to your plumbing pipes.

Tips to keep your toilet squeaky clean

For a squeaky-clean toilet, mix 1 cup of baking soda with 15 drops each of tea tree essential oil and lemon essential oil. Let the mixture sit in the bowl for 30 minutes and scrub it with a bowl brush before flushing.

Plumbing Tips for Garburators

Tips for cleaning garburators

Oh, garburators – they’re so helpful, but can be so smelly! Once again, baking soda and vinegar will be your best friend when it comes to cleaning.

Pour half a cup of baking soda into your garburator and then slowly add a cup of vinegar, letting the mixture fizz. (If you have a double-sink, make sure you plug the opposite side).

While the mixture is fizzing, bring a pot of water to boil. Very carefully, pour the boiling water down the drain to rinse away any debris that the baking soda and vinegar loosened.

Next, fill the drain with 2 cups of ice and 1 cup of coarse rock or sea salt. Turn on the garbage disposal, run some cold water and allow the ice and salt to be crushed by the blades.

Lastly, you’ll want to deodorize your garburator to get rid of any unwanted smells. Simply drip 10 drops each of tea tree essential oil and lemon essential oil down the drain while the garbage disposal is on. Repeat weekly, or daily if odours persist, until unwanted smells are eliminated.

Call for help!

If you’ve got a plumbing disaster on your hands, call for help! You can always count on the pros at Mr. Rooter Plumbing, a neighbourly company, for any of your plumbing needs. Plus, they have locations all across Canada and in the United States, too.

A big thank you to Mr. Rooter Plumbing for sponsoring this post and for giving me a much-needed plumbing basics refresh! As always, all thoughts are my own.

Xo Holly Hunka

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