The winter holidays are upon us - meaning more time in the kitchen, more guests in the home and a greater strain on your home's plumbing.

This additional use is especially stressful on kitchen fixtures, such as the garbage disposal. However, a few simple tips can help keep your disposal in proper working order throughout the holiday season.

Use the disposal properly

Run cold water before turning on the disposal and keep it running until after all of the food is gone.

Don't overload the disposal

Avoid sending large pieces of food through they system. Either cut them into smaller chunks or put these items in the trash.

Avoid putting glass, rubber, bones or celery into the disposal as these items can damage the blades.

Run your disposal frequently to keep the blades from rusting

To avoid other plumbing emergencies, make sure to address any strange sounds or backups before they turn into bigger problems. It is a good idea to have a plunger on hand to combat sink, tub and toilet clogs.

In case of a real plumbing problem, make certain you are aware of the location of your shut off valve and have the number for a good local plumber.

Should any plumbing issues arise, Hawthorne Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is here to help.

Looking for more information on home repairs? Check out our list of related articles below!

• Pain in the Drain: How the Holidays Can Affect Your Plumbing 
• Five Plumbing Problems You Want to Avoid This Spring 
• 4 Plumbing Tips to Kick Off Your Spring Right