Paul’s Way Home Services Outlines Items Homeowners Should Never Pour Down the Drain Before Thanksgiving

BOHEMIA, NY – November 03, 2026 – PRESSADVANTAGE –

Paul’s Way Home Services is outlining the items you should never pour down the drain as Thanksgiving approaches. Plumbers report a sharp rise in service calls the day after the holiday. Homeowners whose main drain keeps clogging have less room for error when holiday cooking waste enters the plumbing.

In a November 2025 release, national plumbing provider Roto-Rooter reported that its service calls typically rise about 50% the day after Thanksgiving. Its website compares that increase with an average Friday and reports a 21% increase over other Thursday-through-Sunday periods. Extra guests and long hours of cooking place greater demand on household plumbing.

Grease is a frequent source of holiday kitchen clogs. Turkey drippings can cool and harden in pipes, while liquid cooking oils can coat pipe walls and collect food particles. Roto-Rooter advises keeping both out of drains because they restrict flow.

Starchy and fibrous scraps create another set of problems. Plumbers commonly cite potato peels, pasta, and rice as frequent culprits, along with stringy vegetables such as celery. Coffee grounds present another risk because they can collect in the drain trap and contribute to clogs.

Garbage disposals do not make every scrap safe to rinse away. Roto-Rooter explains that fibrous strands can wrap around a disposal’s moving parts and interfere with operation. The same care applies year-round, not only during holiday weeks.

Local conditions raise the stakes in Suffolk County. News 12 reported in June 2026 that roughly 70% of the county lacks a sewer connection. A 2020 county resolution cited approximately 360,000 residential onsite sewage disposal systems, about 252,000 of which may consist solely of cesspools.

Homes with cesspools or septic systems handle wastewater on the property rather than at a treatment plant. The EPA explains that food waste is digested slowly in septic tanks, where grease and solids can accumulate. If the tank fills with solids or receives too much water at once, solids can be pushed into the drainfield and clog its pipes.

In septic tanks, heavier solids settle as sludge while fats float as scum. The thickness of these retained layers helps determine when professional pumping is needed.

Newer systems add another consideration. Since July 1, 2021, Article 6 of the Suffolk County Sanitary Code has generally required nitrogen-reducing wastewater systems for new construction using onsite sewage disposal. Septic operators have said these systems are more sensitive to materials sent down drains than older designs.

County leaders are also directing public funds toward the issue. Suffolk County lawmakers approved a $3 billion capital budget on June 2, 2026, according to News 12, with $1.5 billion for wastewater projects through 2029. The plan includes bringing sewers to 14 communities that still rely heavily on cesspools.

Centereach, where Paul’s Way Home Services also works, is among the communities named in the plan. The budget runs through 2029, so many homes are likely to keep relying on onsite systems in the meantime. Careful habits at the sink remain a practical safeguard for those households.

Early warning signs are worth attention after a large holiday meal. Slow drainage or gurgling sounds can indicate that material is collecting in the line. When several fixtures drain slowly at once, the problem may involve a shared drain or main sewer line. In homes with onsite systems, the tank or leaching area may also need assessment.

With Thanksgiving falling on November 26, choices made while cleaning up can affect household plumbing long after guests leave. Wipe grease from pots and pans with paper towels before washing, then discard the towels in the trash.

Paul’s Way Home Services is a fully licensed and insured company that provides plumbing, heating, and remodeling services. Founder Paul (Pawel) has worked in plumbing and heating for more than 20 years. The company serves homeowners in Holbrook, Centereach, and Ronkonkoma, New York.

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For more information about Paul’s Way Home Services, contact the company here:

Paul’s Way Home Services
Paul Oreziak
+16313970285
info@paulswayhomeservices.com
1371 Church St A4, Bohemia, NY 11716