The prime rib is ready to be sliced, the buns are buttered, the vegetables are roasted, and the pies are cooling. Your guests are circling the dining room table like a pack of vultures, and right then your teenage son inquires: “Mom, how come the sink’s not working?” You peer over to see a sink full of water and vegetable peels—GREAT!
Could there be anything worse than a backed-up sink when you are hosting a holiday dinner party for 35? (If there is I don’t want to know about it.) If your husband or Uncle Charlie is a whiz under the counter you may be okay, but if not, you can forget about calling a plumber. (See my previous blog.)
Before you panic try some of these simple tricks to keep your drains clog-free and your party from turning into a disaster.
1. Keep Calm. Yes, I know in most cases 35 guests + 1 clogged drain = Crisis. But it doesn’t have to.
2. Try to diagnose the problem. Most clogs fall into two simple categories: minor clogs that are limited to the sink (or single fixture), and major clogs that are deeper down the waste line and involve several fixtures.
3. Test nearby fixtures to see if they are draining unusually slowly or not at all—if that’s the case you have a major clog and you need to call a professional. Plungers and chemicals will not work well on major clogs. In all likelihood a plumber will have to snake the line.
4. If the clog is limited to a sink (or a toilet), a plunger is a great line of defense. For a toilet, place the plunger over the hole in the bottom of the bowl, get a good seal, and plunge using rapid short strokes. I have learned the hard way that it is vital to get a good seal because a plunger uses alternating suction and pressure to dislodge the clog. Without a good seal, all you’re getting is an upper body work out.
5. Before plunging a sink it is important to plug up the overflow opening in the sink (if there is one) with a wet rag, otherwise the plunger will not be able to develop the necessary suction and pressure.
6. Kitchen sinks are especially tricky to plunge, mainly because most kitchen sinks have two or sometimes three drains, all of which you must plug BEFORE using a plunger.
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Tips for a Safe and Healthy Kitchen