As the holidays approach, your kitchen and plumbing system are about to get busier than ever. Between big family meals, overnight guests, and cold weather settling in, it’s the perfect time to prepare your home’s plumbing before the season gets hectic. Two areas that deserve your attention now, while the weather is still mild, are your garbage disposal and your water heater.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through garbage disposal maintenance, simple water heater maintenance steps, and a few bonus tips for protecting your outdoor faucet. These easy checks can prevent inconvenient breakdowns and give you peace of mind during the busiest time of year.
Why Garbage Disposal Care Matters Around the Holidays
Your disposal is one of the hardest-working kitchen appliances during the holiday season. From potato peels to turkey trimmings, it often becomes the catch-all for food scraps. Unfortunately, misuse can lead to clogs, unpleasant odors, or even damage to your plumbing system.
Ignoring problems now could leave you with a broken disposal on Thanksgiving Day, a stressful and messy situation that no homeowner wants to deal with. The good news is that with a few preventive habits, you can extend the life of your disposal and avoid costly repairs.
Garbage Disposal Do’s and Don’ts
Stick to Small Pieces
Your disposal works best when you feed it smaller pieces of food waste. Large chunks or fibrous foods like corn husks and celery can cause jams or wrap around the disposal’s blades. Cut scraps into small pieces before sending them down.
Avoid Certain Items
Some foods simply don’t belong in the disposal. Watch out for:
- Potato peels – can turn into a starchy paste.
- Coffee grounds – clump together and contribute to food buildup.
- Fatty foods like grease and oil – cause food residue and clogs.
- Citrus peel or citrus slices – small amounts are fine for freshness, but too much can dull blades.
Use Cold Water
Always run cold water while grinding food. Cold helps solidify grease and fats so they break into smaller pieces instead of coating pipes. Continue running water for 10–15 seconds after turning off the disposal to flush food particles down the drain.
How to Freshen and Clean Your Disposal
Even with regular cleaning, garbage disposal smells can develop from food debris caught under the rubber splash guard or along the chamber walls. Here’s how to tackle it safely:
- Drop in a few cups of ice cubes and a cup of rock salt. This scrubs away stuck-on debris.
- Pour in a cup of white vinegar or a cup of vinegar with fresh lemon slices or a citrus peel to neutralize odors.
- Use an old toothbrush with soapy water to scrub the rubber splash guard and underside, where food residue collects.
Skip chemical drain cleaners. They can damage your disposal and pipes. If you notice unusual noises, jams that won’t clear, or constant garbage disposal smells despite cleaning, it’s time to call a professional plumber.
What To Do If Your Disposal Stops Working
Many disposals have a small red button, the reset button, on the bottom of the unit. If the motor overheats, pressing it can get things running again. If that doesn’t help, check for visible blockages, always with the power off. Persistent problems signal a need for repair before the holidays bring heavier use.
Why Water Heater Maintenance Is Essential in Fall
Your water heater works year-round, but demand skyrockets in the winter. Between guests taking extra showers, dishwashing after holiday meals, and laundry piles from cold weather gear, your system is under pressure. Skipping water heater maintenance can lead to lukewarm water, leaks, or even breakdowns right when you need hot water most.
A quick fall tune-up ensures your system is in top shape before frigid air sets in.
Simple Water Heater Maintenance Tips
- Flush the tank – Sediment builds up inside and can shorten the unit’s lifespan. A professional plumber can drain a few gallons to clear food buildup-like debris from the tank.
- Check the temperature – Keep it at 120°F. This is hot enough for cleaning but safe to prevent scalding.
- Inspect for leaks – Look for water pooling around the base.
- Listen for unusual noises – Rumbling or popping may mean sediment buildup.
- Test the pressure relief valve – Ensures safe operation.
Tankless water heaters also benefit from descaling to remove mineral buildup. Whether you have a standard or tankless system, regular checks can save money on costly repairs and extend the unit’s lifespan.
Bonus: Don’t Forget Your Outdoor Faucets
While temperatures in Wheeling may stay mild into November, the first hard freeze can come quickly. Unprotected outdoor faucets or garage plumbing are vulnerable to frozen pipes. Before winter:
- Disconnect garden hoses.
- Drain and shut off outdoor spigots.
- Insulate exposed pipes.
These simple steps prevent bursts that could lead to major further damage and water cleanup headaches.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
DIY checks are helpful, but some tasks, like water heater flushing or addressing repeated disposal jams, are best left to a licensed plumber. A professional plumber can spot early warning signs, perform safe maintenance, and ensure your system is holiday-ready.
At Capps Plumbing & Sewer, our team serves Wheeling, IL and surrounding areas with emergency plumbing, kitchen plumbing, water heater repair, and full-service sewer and drain maintenance. We’re available 24/7, so you never have to face a holiday plumbing crisis alone.
Holiday Plumbing Prep Checklist
- Run cold water during and after using the disposal.
- Break scraps into smaller pieces before grinding.
- Avoid coffee grounds, potato peels, and fatty foods.
- Freshen disposal with cups of ice, a cup of salt, and cup of vinegar.
- Scrub the rubber splash guard with an old toothbrush.
- Press the reset button if the unit stops.
- Schedule water heater maintenance before guests arrive.
- Flush and inspect the tank for leaks or unusual noises.
- Disconnect hoses and shut off outdoor faucets before the first freeze.
Be Ready Before the Holidays
Taking time now to handle garbage disposal maintenance and water heater maintenance saves stress later. A little attention in fall helps you avoid mid-holiday breakdowns, messy backups, and surprise cold showers.
Need help with your kitchen drains, water heater, or outdoor plumbing prep?
Capps Plumbing & Sewer is here for Wheeling homeowners. Contact us anytime for trusted local service and peace of mind this holiday season.
