As the holidays approach, there’s a lot to look forward to—family, friends, and of course, plenty of good food. But for many homeowners, holiday gatherings also mean extra stress on household plumbing. From guest showers to dishwashing marathons, the increased demand can put your plumbing to the test. Preparing your plumbing before your guests arrive can prevent unexpected issues and help ensure that your home’s system is ready for the season. Here’s how to get started.

Why Pre-Holiday Plumbing Checks Matter

Holiday gatherings bring extra wear and tear to your plumbing, especially if you’re hosting a crowd. The kitchen, bathroom, and water heater all see increased use during the holiday season. Preparing ahead of time helps you avoid common problems like clogged drains, low water pressure, and surprise leaks. A pre-holiday plumbing checkup allows a professional to assess and resolve potential issues, so you’re not left dealing with a mess on your busiest days.

Common Plumbing Issues During Gatherings

Hosting during the holidays can mean facing a few common plumbing pitfalls:

• Clogged Drains: With increased food prep and cleanup, kitchen drains and garbage disposals can clog easily. Cooking fats, grease, and certain food items can harden and block pipes.
• Toilet Backups: More people in the house means higher water usage. Unfortunately, this can lead to toilet backups if the system isn’t prepared for the extra use.
• Water Heater Strain: With additional showers and hand-washing, water heaters often struggle to keep up. Older systems may even break down under the pressure, leaving guests with cold showers.

Addressing these common problems before they happen can help your holiday gatherings go off without a hitch.

Tips to Avoid Clogged Drains and Overworked Systems

Preventing holiday plumbing issues doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are a few proactive steps:

• Use the Trash for Food Scraps: Encourage everyone to dispose of food scraps and grease in the trash, not the sink. Even if you have a garbage disposal, large scraps and greasy leftovers can still clog the pipes.
• Install Drain Screens: Drain screens help prevent hair, food, and debris from entering the plumbing and causing buildup.
• Reduce Water Usage: Stagger showers and washing times to avoid overwhelming the water heater. You may also want to adjust the thermostat on your water heater to a slightly higher temperature to ensure warm water for everyone.

By taking these steps and scheduling a plumbing checkup, you can rest assured that your home’s system is ready for the holidays. Reach out to Mitch Wright Plumbing to get your system holiday-ready, and enjoy the season with peace of mind.