Avoiding a Holiday Plumbing Disaster: Pre-Holiday Tips for You

The holidays are all about family, food, and festivities—but nothing brings the celebration to a halt faster than a plumbing disaster. With guests using your kitchen and bathrooms more than usual, your plumbing system can easily become overwhelmed. To keep things flowing smoothly this season, follow these expert tips for preventing clogged drains, garbage disposal mishaps, and toilet troubles.

1. Treat Your Garbage Disposal With Care

Your garbage disposal works hard, but it’s not built to handle everything. During holiday cooking, it’s easy to overload it with scraps—but this can quickly cause jams or backups. Remember these rules:

• Avoid fibrous or starchy foods. Potato peels, celery, corn husks, and onion skins can wrap around the blades or create a thick paste that clogs pipes.
• Skip grease and fats. Bacon grease and cooking oils solidify as they cool, coating your pipes and leading to stubborn clogs. Throw these fats in the garbage.
• Cut waste into small pieces. Feed scraps gradually rather than dumping everything at once.
• Flush with cold water. Let cold water run for at least 15 seconds after using the disposal—it helps move food particles through the pipes and prevents grease buildup.

If your disposal starts making strange noises or doesn’t grind properly, turn it off immediately and check for obstructions before calling a plumber.

2. Keep Drains Flowing Freely

More guests mean more showers, dishwashing, and handwashing—which means your drains will be busier than ever. A few simple steps can prevent backups and slow drains:

• Use a drain strainer. This inexpensive tool keeps hair, food scraps, and other debris out of the pipes.
• Avoid chemical drain cleaners. These can damage pipes and worsen problems over time. Instead, try a mix of baking soda and vinegar followed by hot water for a natural clean.
• Be proactive. If you notice water draining slowly, don’t wait until it’s fully blocked—take action early to avoid an emergency.

For extra protection, you can have your drains professionally cleaned before the holidays to ensure everything’s running smoothly.

3. Mind What Goes Down the Toilet

Holiday gatherings can put serious strain on your bathroom plumbing. Remind guests—especially children—what should and shouldn’t go down the toilet. The golden rule: only flush human waste and toilet paper. Everything else belongs in the trash, including:

• Wipes (even “flushable” ones)
• Paper towels and napkins
• Hygiene products
• Cotton balls or swabs
• Dental floss

These items don’t break down easily and can cause serious blockages in your sewer line. Consider keeping a small trash can in every bathroom to make it easy for guests to dispose of items properly.

Keep the Holidays Merry and Mess-Free

A little plumbing preparation goes a long way toward keeping your holiday stress-free. Treat your garbage disposal gently, keep drains clear, and watch what gets flushed. With these simple precautions, you can focus on what really matters—enjoying time with your loved ones, not waiting for an emergency plumber.

You can always book a maintenance visit with our team of plumbers to ensure your plumbing system is ready for the holidays!

Go With Charleston’s 1st Choice in HVAC and Plumbing. Schedule an appointment with 1st Choice A/C, Heating, Plumbing & Gas, LLC.