The holidays are a time for gathering, celebrating, and enjoying the company of friends and family. But when your home is suddenly hosting more people than usual, your plumbing system can experience extra strain — and nothing derails holiday cheer faster than a clogged drain, overflowing toilet, or backed-up garbage disposal. Fortunately, a few simple habits and precautions can go a long way toward preventing plumbing emergencies and keeping your home running smoothly through the new year.
Avoiding a Clog
One of the biggest holiday culprits is the kitchen sink. With all the cooking, baking, and meal prep that comes with hosting, it’s easy for grease, food scraps, and peels to end up where they don’t belong. Fatty substances like gravy, oil, and butter solidify as they cool, causing major drain blockages. Instead of washing these down the drain, pour grease into a heat-safe container and dispose of it in the trash once it solidifies. Likewise, avoid sending fibrous or starchy foods — such as celery, potato peels, onion skins, or rice — through the garbage disposal. Even a high-powered disposal can struggle with these materials, leading to jams or clogged pipes. Use a sink strainer during cleanup to catch small scraps, and remind guests or helpers to scrape plates into the garbage before rinsing.
Keep Your Bathroom Clear
Bathrooms also see heavy traffic during holiday gatherings. With more showers, toilet flushes, and handwashing than usual, minor plumbing issues can escalate quickly. Place small trash bins in each bathroom so guests aren’t tempted to flush items like wipes, cotton products, or paper towels. Even products labeled “flushable” often don’t break down fast enough and can lead to clogs deeper in the sewer line. If your home has older plumbing or low-flow toilets, consider spacing out showers to help the water heater keep up and give drains a chance to clear.
Other Holiday Plumbing Tips
Hosting overnight guests? A quick walkthrough of household plumbing basics can help prevent mishaps. Let visitors know if certain fixtures are sensitive, slow, or quirky — for example, a toilet that needs a gentle flush or a shower with a tricky drain stopper. Keeping a plunger in an obvious spot is also a good idea; it encourages guests to address minor issues before they turn into emergencies.
Don’t forget about your dishwasher: it’s working overtime during the holidays. Run the garbage disposal before starting a dishwasher cycle to ensure the sink drain is clear. A partially clogged drain can cause the dishwasher to back up into the sink, leaving behind a messy surprise.
Finally, consider giving your plumbing system a little preventive help before the holidays arrive. If you’ve noticed slow drains, gurgling sounds, or occasional backups, it may be worth scheduling a quick inspection or drain cleaning. Taking care of small issues ahead of time can prevent stressful, expensive emergencies when your home is full of guests.
With some awareness and a few good habits, you can avoid holiday plumbing headaches and keep the season merry and bright. A little preparation now means less stress — and more time enjoying what truly matters.
Our team of Home Performance Experts has served the I-5 corridor from Blaine to Marysville, Oak Harbor to Concrete, and the San Juan Islands since 1972 with a mission of Improving Lives™. We look forward to serving you too! Contact Barron Plumbing today for more holiday plumbing tips or scheduled plumbing services.