The holiday season often means more cooking, more house guests, and more activity throughout the home. While families focus on meals, travel plans, and entertaining, household plumbing systems are usually working overtime behind the scenes.
Unfortunately, the holidays are also one of the busiest times of year for plumbing problems. Clogged drains, overloaded garbage disposals, water heater issues, and plumbing backups can quickly disrupt holiday plans.
Here are a few simple plumbing tips to help homeowners in Savannah avoid common holiday plumbing emergencies.
Be Careful What Goes Down the Garbage Disposal
Holiday cooking creates extra food waste, but not everything belongs in the garbage disposal. Certain foods can clog drains or damage the disposal system.
Avoid putting these items down the disposal:
- Grease or cooking oil
- Turkey skin or bones
- Potato peels
- Celery
- Pasta or rice
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
Grease is especially problematic because it can harden inside pipes and contribute to serious drain clogs over time.
Prevent Kitchen Drain Clogs
With more cooking and cleanup during the holidays, kitchen drains see much heavier use than normal. Using drain strainers and avoiding large amounts of food debris can help reduce the risk of backups.
Running cold water while using the garbage disposal may also help food move more effectively through the drain system.
Watch for Toilet Problems with Guests in the Home
When extra guests visit during the holidays, bathroom plumbing systems often experience increased strain. Toilets can clog more easily when overloaded with excessive toilet paper or non-flushable products.
Remind guests not to flush items such as:
- Wipes
- Paper towels
- Feminine hygiene products
- Cotton swabs
Even products labeled “flushable” can contribute to sewer and drain problems.
Check Your Water Heater Before the Holidays
Hot water demand increases significantly when guests stay overnight. An older water heater may struggle to keep up with multiple showers, laundry loads, and dishwashing all happening at once.
Some signs your water heater may need maintenance include:
- Inconsistent hot water
- Strange noises from the tank
- Rust-colored water
- Water leaks near the unit
Scheduling maintenance before holiday gatherings can help reduce the chance of unexpected water heater problems.
Know Where Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve Is
Plumbing emergencies can happen unexpectedly, especially during busy holiday gatherings. Knowing how to quickly shut off your home’s water supply can help minimize water damage if a pipe bursts or a fixture leaks.
Every homeowner should know where the main shut-off valve is located before an emergency occurs.
Don’t Ignore Slow Drains
A slow drain before the holidays could become a complete backup during a large family gathering. If sinks, tubs, or toilets are already draining slowly, it may be smart to schedule professional drain cleaning before guests arrive.
At Henry Plumbing, we help homeowners throughout Savannah and surrounding communities with drain cleaning, plumbing repairs, water heater services, leak detection, sewer inspections, and emergency plumbing solutions. A little preventative plumbing maintenance before the holidays can help keep celebrations running smoothly instead of turning into a plumbing disaster.
