16 Sep Avoid Holiday Plumbing Issues
The holidays bring much more joy when your home is a well-oiled machine and ready to welcome family and friends. While your home fills with loved ones, it also faces extra pressure on systems you don’t usually think about, especially your plumbing. From extra showers to heavy dish washing, your pipes and drains get pushed to the limit. And the last thing anyone wants is a clogged sink or overflowing toilet in the middle of a holiday dinner. With a little preparation, you can avoid holiday plumbing disasters and focus on enjoying the season. Here’s a practical guide to help prepare your home for the arrival of your first guest.
Give Your Drains a Pre-Holiday Checkup
Your kitchen and bathroom drains are the frontline defense against plumbing emergencies. Over time, grease and food remnants can build up in your drains. Before your guests arrive:
- Run hot water through each drain for a few minutes to flush away buildup.
- Consider applying a natural cleaner, such as baking soda and vinegar. This will freshen and loosen small clogs.
- Consider hiring a professional cleaner. If you experienced slow drains recently. It’s better to invest now than pay for an emergency call on Christmas Eve.
This step alone goes a long way to avoid holiday plumbing disasters.
Prep the Garbage Disposal
Holiday meals mean plenty of cooking, and the garbage disposal will be working overtime. But it’s not a catch-all. Remind family members what should never go down the disposal:
- Grease and oils (they harden and clog pipes).
- Bones, coffee grounds, and eggshells.
- Starchy foods expand when soaked in water.
To keep it running smoothly:
- Run cold water before, during, and after use.
- Feed scraps gradually, rather than dumping them all at once.
- Drop in a few ice cubes and citrus peels to clean and freshen.
Test Toilets and Stock the Bathrooms
When more people use your bathrooms, small issues can escalate quickly. A toilet that runs constantly should be repaired before guests arrive.
Also, stock bathrooms with plenty of toilet paper and a plunger in plain sight. Guests will thank you for sparing them the embarrassment of having to ask.
Protect Your Hot Water Supply
If overnight guests are expected, your water heater may struggle to keep up with demand. A few smart steps can help:
- Turn up the temperature slightly (but not above 120°F to avoid scalding).
- Stagger showers by asking guests to wait at least 15 minutes between uses.
- Insulate your water heater and pipes if you haven’t already—this also reduces energy costs during the cold months.
Keep an Eye on Outdoor Plumbing
Cold weather can wreak havoc on outdoor pipes. Before freezing temperatures arrive:
- Disconnect hoses and store them indoors.
- Shut off and drain outdoor faucets.
- Insulate exposed pipes, especially in basements, attics, or crawl spaces.
These steps reduce the risk of burst pipes—one of the most costly holiday plumbing disasters.
Manage the Kitchen Sink During Cooking
The kitchen is the busiest spot during the holidays, and your sink will see nonstop action. To avoid clogs and slow drains:
- Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps.
- Wipe the grease from pans with a paper towel before rinsing.
- Run hot water frequently down the drain throughout the day.
Encourage family helpers to scrape plates into the trash (or compost bin) rather than relying on the disposal.
Know Your Main Water Shut-Off Location
Even with preparation, accidents can happen. A burst pipe or overflowing toilet can quickly flood your home. The fastest way to stop the damage is to shut off the main water supply.
Take a few minutes to:
- Locate your main shut-off valve.
- Make sure it turns easily.
- Show other adults in your household how to use it.
This knowledge is your ultimate safety net to avoid holiday plumbing disasters turning into a homeowner’s nightmare.
Have a Plumber on Call
Finally, save the number of a trusted local plumber in your phone. Holiday emergencies don’t wait for business hours, and knowing who to call can reduce stress and downtime. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Tyler we offer seasonal checkup packages—worth considering before the holiday season begins.
Wrapping Up: Peace of Mind for the Season
The holidays should be filled with joy, not unexpected water damage. When you take preventive steps such as cleaning drains and protecting pipes, you will significantly reduce your chances of encountering problems.
You can avoid many holiday plumbing disasters by being proactive. With a little foresight, you will welcome family and friends confidently, knowing your home is ready for the extra workload. Then all that’s left is to enjoy the food, laughter, and holiday memories.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Tyler serves the East Texas cities of Kilgore, Longview, Tyler, and Whitehouse with a team of certified plumbers. In addition to emergency plumbing repair, some of the plumbing services provided by the company include faucet repair, drain services, toilet repair, plumbing fixture installations, tub and shower installations, kitchen sink repair, faucet installation, water heater repair/replacement, and garbage disposal replacement. Call us today at (903) 730-6611 to schedule an appointment!