As you and your family make party arrangements for the Super Bowl, ordering pizza and setting up tables around the big screen are high on the to-do list. But don’t overlook the plumbing.

Super Bowl parties can be a super problem for plumbing systems if you don’t tackle some plumbing precautions now.

When football fans arrive at your Super Bowl party, they’ll be eating more pizza, chicken wings and other snacks than usual. This means overtime for your garbage disposal and toilets.

“People are focused on the big game, and they don’t realize how much food is going down the garbage disposal,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation. “We want to coach people on how to best prepare their kitchens and bathrooms for a house full of guests, especially on a day like Super Bowl Sunday.”

To keep plumbing problems from throwing a flag in your party plans, Mr. Rooter® service professionals suggest the following six points:

• Remove small objects from the top of the toilet tank that could fall in, causing it to clog.
• Keep a trash bin in the bathroom, so guests won’t flush paper towels, napkins or facial tissue.
• Don’t overload the garbage disposal with leftovers, which could lead to a clogged kitchen sink.
• Instead, throw scraps in the trash or compost pile.
• Avoid pouring grease down the drain and wipe off greasy plates and pans with a paper towel before washing them.
• It’s always important to know how to use the water shut-off valve under the tank. Toilet overflows are messy to clean up and can damage floors and drywall.

While these tips should help you intercept any issues, local Mr. Rooter service professionals will be ready if you have a plumbing problem.

Don’t Let a Clogged Drain Dampen Your Holiday Spirit

It’s the holiday season, and you’re decorating the house, shopping for gifts, mailing holiday cards and baking cookies. But have you thought about your plumbing? Don’t let a clogged drain dampen your holiday spirit!

Whether you’re having family over for the holidays or you’re hosting a festive party, your kitchen and bathrooms will be busier than usual. To save the cost and inconvenience of a plumbing emergency, Mr. Rooter® recommends you pay special attention to your plumbing.

“With the extra food, family and friends, you can easily forget about the stress it puts on your plumbing,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation.  “We have some advice that will help keep a backed-up drain from ruining your holiday plans.”

To properly operate a garbage disposal, turn on the water, then turn on the disposal and feed the waste gradually. Keep the water on while using the disposal. Leave the water on for a short period after the disposal is turned off.

Follow these steps to keep your plumbing system off of Santa’s naughty list.
In the kitchen:

• Avoid pouring grease down the drain.
• Throw large scraps of food in the trash or compost pile.
• Don’t put turkey bones and skin, potato peels and celery down the garbage disposal.
• Wipe greasy pans and plates with a paper towel before washing them.
• Rinse off dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.
• Don’t overload the garbage disposal.
• Turn the disposal power off and press the re-set button (if available) under the sink when the disposal stops abruptly while in use.

In the bathroom:

• Wait ten minutes between showers.
• Avoid flushing items that don’t break down easily: cotton balls, paper towels, facial tissue and sanitary products.
• Know how to use the water shut-off valve under the tank in case of an emergency.
• Remove small objects from the top of the toilet tank that could fall in, causing it to clog.

If one of these disasters intrudes on your celebrations, contact your local Mr. Rooter shop to put the happy back into the holidays.