6 Plumbing Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Holiday Guests

The holidays are all about good food, quality time, and making memories. But if you’re hosting, there’s something else you should be thinking about before your guests arrive—your plumbing. Yep. Trust us, nothing brings the festivities to a halt faster than a surprise plumbing problem. Whether you’re expecting overnight guests, hosting a big dinner, or just having people pop by, here are 6 simple tips to make sure your pipes are party-ready.

1. Give Your Drains Some Attention

Holiday cooking often means heavy-duty use of your kitchen sink. Before the big day, check your drains for slow draining or funky smells—both signs of a developing clog. You don’t need harsh chemicals to clear it either. Try a safe drain-cleaning solution, or better yet, call a pro to snake it out if it’s stubborn.

Also: Grease goes in the trash, not the sink. Always.

2. Prep Your Garbage Disposal for Battle

Your garbage disposal will be working overtime during the holidays, so treat it kindly. Avoid feeding it stringy foods (like celery), bones, eggshells, or starchy stuff (like potato peels or rice) that can gum it up.

Run cold water while it’s on, and let it run a few seconds after to clear the line. Bonus points if you freshen it up with a few citrus peels.

3. Check for Silent Leaks

A small leak under the sink or behind the toilet might seem harmless now—but throw extra guests into the mix and that tiny drip can turn into a major mess. Do a quick walk-through of all bathrooms and under-sink areas. Look for damp spots, musty smells, or moldy caulking.

If you spot something sketchy, get it checked before your guests do.

4. Stock the Bathrooms Like a Pro Host

This one isn’t about pipes, but it’s still a plumbing tip your guests (and your plumber) will thank you for: keep a trash can in every bathroom. That way, no one’s tempted to flush things they shouldn’t—like wipes, feminine products, or paper towels.

Also: make sure you have a plunger in sight. It’s better to be discreet than to have someone awkwardly whisper, “Umm… the toilet’s not flushing.”

5. Remind the Household What NOT to Flush

If you’ve got kids or visitors who aren’t familiar with your plumbing “rules,” now’s the time for a friendly reminder. Nothing but toilet paper, please! Even “flushable” wipes can cause serious clogs (we wrote a whole blog on that!).

Pro tip: a polite little sign in the guest bathroom works wonders.

6. Get a Pro Inspection If It’s Been Awhile

If it’s been years since anyone’s looked at your plumbing, a quick pre-holiday inspection could save you a major headache. A plumber can check for issues you might not notice—like pressure problems, aging water heaters, or pipes that are one clog away from chaos.

Contact Done Right Today for All Your Holiday Plumbing Needs in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland

Getting your plumbing holiday-ready doesn’t have to be a big project—it just takes a little prep. A quick check here, a gentle reminder there, and maybe a call to your favorite local plumber if something seems off. Because when the turkey’s on the table and your house is full of laughter, the last thing you want to hear is water where it shouldn’t be. Need help before the guests arrive? We’re just a call away and happy to help you make it through the season clog-free! Contact Done Right Today!