Holiday Plumbing Preparation: Complete Checklist for Hosting Guests

Hosting Family and Friends This Holiday Season? Here's How to Prepare Your Plumbing

Hosting family and friends for the holidays? Your plumbing system is about to work harder than usual. More showers, more cooking, more toilets in use—it all adds up quickly.

The good news? Most holiday plumbing problems are preventable with a little preparation. Here's what to check before your guests arrive, plus a few things you can do yourself to keep everything running smoothly.

Quick navigation:

• Water heater preparation
• Drain maintenance
• Toilet checklist
• Garbage disposal tips
• Protecting pipes in cold weather

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Prepare Your Water Heater for Increased Holiday Demand

When you're hosting, hot water demand can easily triple. If your water heater hasn't been maintained recently, you might notice lukewarm showers or the hot water running out faster than usual.

Signs Your Water Heater Needs Attention:

• Popping or rumbling sounds (sediment buildup reducing efficiency)
• Hot water running out quickly, even under normal use
• Discolored or rusty water
• Water heater age over 10 years

What You Can Do:

If you're handy, you can flush your water heater yourself to remove sediment. There are good tutorials online, or you can have a professional do it; it usually takes about 45 minutes.

For older units or if you're noticing issues, it's worth having someone inspect your water heater before guests arrive rather than dealing with problems during the holidays.

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Prevent Drain Clogs Before Holiday Guests Arrive

Slow drains are easy to ignore when it's just your household, but extra guests can quickly turn a minor slowdown into standing water in the shower or a backed-up sink.

Warning Signs of Drain Problems:

• Water draining slowly in sinks, tubs, or showers
• Gurgling sounds when water goes down
• Unpleasant odors coming from drains

DIY Drain Maintenance Tips:

Start with the simple stuff: remove visible hair and debris from drain covers. For kitchen sinks, make sure food particles aren't building up.

A word of caution: Chemical drain cleaners can actually damage your pipes over time and often don't solve the underlying issue. If you've got persistent slow drains, it's usually a sign that buildup deeper in the line needs professional attention.

If you're concerned about your drains before hosting, professional whole-home drain cleaning clears buildup and ensures everything flows properly.

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Toilet Maintenance Checklist for Holiday Hosting

That toilet that occasionally runs or flushes slowly might seem like a minor annoyance, but when you have 10 people sharing 2 bathrooms, small issues become much bigger problems.

Pre-Holiday Toilet Inspection:

• Does it flush completely and refill properly?
• Is there water pooling around the base?
• Does it run constantly or make noise between uses?
• Are the handles loose or hard to operate?

Simple Toilet Repairs You Can Do:

Test each toilet by flushing and watching how it performs. Many toilet issues, like a running toilet, are simple fixes involving the flapper or fill valve. You can find replacement parts at any hardware store for under $20.

If you're seeing water around the base or multiple issues, it's worth having a plumber take a look.

Helpful tip: Put a small trash can in each guest bathroom and keep a plunger handy (but tucked away). It reduces the chance of guests flushing things they shouldn't and helps everyone feel more comfortable.

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Garbage Disposal Care During Holiday Cooking

Garbage disposals are great for everyday cleanup, but holiday cooking can push them past their limits. Knowing what NOT to put down the disposal can save you from an inconvenient breakdown.

Never Put These Down Your Garbage Disposal:

• Grease, oils, and butter – They solidify in pipes and cause clogs
• Bones, shells, and pits – Too hard for the blades
• Potato peels, pasta, and rice – They turn into a thick paste that clogs drains
• Coffee grounds – They clump together and build up over time
• Fibrous vegetables – Celery, asparagus, and corn husks wrap around the blades

Best Practices for Holiday Cooking Cleanup:

• Scrape plates into the trash before rinsing
• Collect cooking grease in a can or jar and throw it away when cooled
• Run cold water while using the disposal (hot water liquefies grease, which then solidifies in pipes)
• Use the disposal in short bursts rather than overloading it

If your disposal has been struggling lately—making unusual noises, draining slowly, or shutting off frequently—it might be time to have it checked or replaced before your big gathering.

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How to Prevent Frozen Pipes During Winter Holiday Gatherings

If you're putting guests in basement bedrooms, converted garages, or spaces that don't usually get much use, pay attention to the plumbing in those areas. Pipes in unheated or poorly insulated spaces are vulnerable to freezing when temperatures drop.

High-Risk Areas for Frozen Pipes:

• Bathrooms or kitchens on exterior walls
• Unheated basements or crawl spaces
• Garages with plumbing fixtures
• Any space that feels noticeably colder than the rest of your home

Frozen Pipe Prevention Steps:

• Insulate exposed pipes with foam sleeves (available at any hardware store for a few dollars)
• Keep cabinet doors open under sinks to allow warm air to circulate
• Maintain your thermostat at 55°F or higher, even overnight
• Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses before the first hard freeze

These small steps can prevent frozen or burst pipes, which cause significant damage and expensive repairs.

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When to Call a Professional Plumber Before the Holidays

Most of the items on this checklist are things you can handle yourself or keep an eye on. But if you're noticing multiple issues, or if you'd rather have peace of mind before hosting, a pre-holiday plumbing inspection can catch problems before they disrupt your gathering.

At Cavinder, we've been helping Northern Indiana families prepare for the holidays since 1999. We can check your water heater, test your drains and toilets, inspect your disposal, and make sure everything's ready for extra use.

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Schedule a Pre-Holiday Plumbing Check

Call us: (574) 633-4557

Book online: Schedule an appointment

Service areas: South Bend, Granger, Mishawaka, Elkhart, and surrounding Northern Indiana communities

We're here if you need us, but hopefully, this checklist helps you enjoy a worry-free holiday with your family and friends.

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More Plumbing Resources

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Cavinder Plumbing, Heating and Cooling – Serving Northern Indiana with trusted plumbing, heating, and cooling services since 1999.