🦃 Thanksgiving Crisis Averted: The Single Most Important Plumbing Prep for SoCal Hosts

It’s the quintessential North Orange County Thanksgiving scene: the aromas of roasted turkey and sage filling the air, the warmth of family and friends, and... the inevitable, dreaded gurgle from the kitchen sink.

As a real estate expert in North Orange County, I’ve seen more than a few post-holiday plumbing disasters. And trust me, the most common holiday emergency call we see every single year isn't a kitchen fire—it's a massive drain blockage.

For every Southern California homeowner hosting Thanksgiving this year, the single most important preparation you can make is safeguarding your garbage disposal and drain lines.

The Anatomy of a Post-Thanksgiving Plumbing Emergency

Why do plumbers affectionately call the day after Thanksgiving "Brown Friday"? Because it's their busiest day of the year, all thanks to what gets unwittingly jammed down the drain.

In our homes, the drain lines and garbage disposal are built to handle liquid waste and small, biodegradable food particles. They are not built to handle the high volume and specific type of waste generated by a large holiday meal.

Here are the prime culprits leading to that emergency blockage:

1. The Deadly Duo: Grease and Oil

You've just roasted a turkey, fried bacon for green beans, and rendered lard for pie crust. When these hot fats go down the drain, they are liquid. But as they travel through the pipes and cool down, they solidify. This sticky coating accumulates rapidly, grabbing hold of any other passing food particle and creating a cement-like clog that will completely stop your sink.

2. The Disposal's Arch-Nemesis: Fibrous & Starchy Foods

The little shredders in your disposal are no match for certain items.

• Potato Peels: When shredded, starchy peels turn into a thick, sludge-like paste that gums up the drain.

• Celery, Onion Skins, and Poultry Skin: These highly fibrous materials act like string or rope, wrapping around the disposal blades and causing the motor to jam or burn out.

• Bones: Never, ever put bones (especially turkey bones) down the disposal. They will instantly jam the unit.

🛡️ Your Pre-Holiday Plumbing Prep Checklist

A little proactive effort now will save you hundreds on an emergency plumbing call and keep your holiday stress-free.

1. Implement the "No-Pour Zone"

This is the most crucial step you can take.

• Collect the Fats: Keep an empty tin can or a jar near the sink. Designate this container as the repository for all turkey fat, bacon grease, and cooking oil. Once cooled and solidified, you can scoop it out and dispose of it in the trash. Never pour it down the drain.

2. Scrape Before You Rinse

Before a dish ever hits the sink, have your guests or family scrape every bit of solid food waste into the trash can or a compost bin. The disposal should be used only for small bits that slip off a plate during rinsing, not as a primary waste bin.

3. The Cold Water Rule

If you must use the disposal, run a strong stream of cold water down the drain for 30 seconds before turning the disposal on, during its use, and for 30 seconds after it's turned off. Cold water helps keep any small bits of fat solid so they can be pushed through, and the water pressure helps move debris through the pipes.

4. The Ice Cube Cleanse (A Day Before)

A quick, simple way to sharpen the disposal blades and clean residue is to run a few cups of ice cubes through the operating disposal. Follow this up with some rock salt (if you have it) and a lemon or orange peel to clean and freshen the unit.

🔑 The Peace of Mind Payoff

This Thanksgiving, let your focus be on the stuffing, the laughter, and the gratitude—not the sounds of an overflowing sink. By taking these simple, proactive steps to protect your kitchen's drainage system, you ensure a smooth, worry-free holiday.

A well-maintained home in North Orange County is a happy home. And a happy home starts with functioning plumbing, especially when you’re hosting the biggest dinner of the year!

Are you preparing to host in your beautiful North Orange County home this season, or perhaps getting ready to sell and want to ensure every detail is perfect? Contact me today for tips on preparing your home for the holidays and the market!

Major League Properties is ranked in the top 1.5% teams in the nation and #40 in California by Real Trends | America’s Best

Nelida Mora is the #1 winner of 2025 Best of Placentia REALTOR® and the 2024 Best of Placentia Real Estate Team. Also in 2024 she was nominated as the Best Woman-Owned Business in Placentia and on the Cover of the Southern California edition of TOP AGENT Magazine in February of 2023.