How to Prevent Common Holiday Plumbing Problems

The holidays are a joyous time of year spent with family and friends. But if your home isn’t prepared, the holiday season can quickly become a plumbing nightmare. From clogged shower drains to running out of hot water to backed up garbage disposals, there are a number of common holiday plumbing problems that can ruin your festivities.

But don’t worry! We’re here to help. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how to prevent common holiday plumbing problems before they start. By following these simple tips, you can rest assured that your holiday season will be merry and bright—and most importantly, problem-free!

Plumbing Problem #1: Clogged Shower Drains

One of the most common holiday plumbing problems is a clogged shower drain. When you have guests staying with you, showers get used more frequently and for longer periods of time—which means more hair and soap build-up in your drain. To prevent a clogged shower drain, we recommend placing a hair catcher over your drain before guests arrive. This will help catch any excess hair and soap build-up so it doesn’t have a chance to cause problems. You should also avoid pouring grease down your drain, as this can solidify and cause serious blockages.

Plumbing Problem #2: Running Out of Hot Water

Nothing ruins a relaxing holiday bubble bath like running out of hot water halfway through. To prevent this from happening, we recommend turning down your water heater at least 24 hours before guests arrive. This will give the water heater time to heat back up to full capacity so there’s plenty of hot water to go around—no one likes a cold shower!

Plumbing Problem #3: Backed Up Garbage Disposal

When you have guests over for holiday meals, your garbage disposal gets put to work overtime. To avoid jams and clogs, we recommend running cold water through the disposal for 30 seconds before and after use. You should also avoid putting hard-to-grind items—such as coffee grinds or chicken bones—down the disposal, as these can damage the blades and cause expensive repairs. Finally, be sure to run the disposal regularly even when you’re not entertaining guests to keep it in good working order. .

Plumbing Problem #4: Clogged Toilets

One of the most common plumbing problems during the holidays is a clogged toilet. When you have a house full of guests, it’s not uncommon for someone to try to flush something down the toilet that doesn’t belong there. To avoid a clogged toilet, we recommend the following tips:

• provide each bathroom with a small wastebasket for disposed paper goods;
• label each bathroom wastebasket clearly so guests know what belongs in there; and
• remind guests not to flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper.

If a toilet does become clogged, avoid using chemical drain cleaners. These products are harsh on your pipes and can actually do more harm than good. Instead, try using a plunger or an auger (a plumbers’ snake). If these tools don’t do the trick, give us a call! Our experienced team will clear the clog quickly and efficiently.

Plumbing Problem #5: Dishwashing

Another common issue we see during the holidays is sink backups due to incorrect dishwashing practices. To prevent this problem, follow these simple dos and don’ts:

DO scrape dishes before washing them; DON’T put coffee grounds or grease down the drain; DO run water while using the garbage disposal; DON’T pour cooking oil or grease down the drain; DO run cold water for 30 seconds after using the garbage disposal; DON’T use hot water when washing dishes by hand; and DO wash dishes frequently so food doesn’t have a chance to build up in the pipes.

By following these simple tips, you can help prevent holiday plumbing disasters. However, if you do experience a problem, our team is here to help! We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services so you never have to go without heat or hot water during the winter months. Give us a call today!

By following these simple tips, you can help prevent common holiday plumbing problems before they start. And if you do experience any problems during the holidays, our team of expert plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing is always here to help! Give us a call today for all your plumbing needs—from repairs to installations and everything in between. We wish you all a happy and safe holiday season!