How to Get Your Plumbing Ready for Holiday Guests
Holiday guests mean more people using your home.
More showers.
More toilet flushes.
More cooking.
More dishes.
And more demand on plumbing fixtures that may normally serve only a few people.
Before guests arrive, give your plumbing a simple check.
1. Check the Guest Bathroom
Run the faucet.
Flush the toilet.
Turn on the shower.
Check that everything operates normally before someone arrives with a suitcase.
2. Address Slow Drains Now
A sink or shower that's already draining slowly isn't likely to become more convenient with additional use.
Investigate minor drainage problems before the house becomes busy.
3. Listen to the Toilet
Does it stop running normally after flushing?
Does it periodically refill without being used?
If something doesn't sound right, inspect it before guests arrive.
4. Check Under the Sinks
Look underneath kitchen and bathroom sinks for:
- Moisture
- Stains
- Drips
- Deteriorated supply lines
- Questionable drain connections
5. Protect the Kitchen Drain
Holiday cooking can generate plenty of food waste.
Use appropriate sink strainers and avoid sending cooking grease and unsuitable food debris into the drain.
6. Make Sure You Have a Plunger
Don't wait until a toilet is clogged to discover you don't own an appropriate plunger.
Keep one accessible—but discreetly stored.
7. Know Your Shutoff Valves
Make sure important fixture shutoffs remain accessible.
Also know the location of the home's main water shutoff.
You probably won't need it.
But if you do, you won't want to search for it while guests watch water spread across the floor.
8. Stock Basic Supplies
Before the holiday rush, consider checking that you have basic maintenance items appropriate for your home:
✔ Plunger
✔ Bucket
✔ Flashlight
✔ Basic hand tools
✔ Drain strainer
✔ Absorbent towels
✔ Plumber contact information
9. Don't Start a Major DIY Project Right Before Guests Arrive
The night before Thanksgiving isn't the ideal time to experiment with an unfamiliar plumbing renovation.
Handle necessary repairs early and leave complicated work to qualified professionals when appropriate.
Final Thoughts
Holiday plumbing preparation isn't complicated.
Check the bathrooms.
Inspect the kitchen.
Clear minor problems.
Know where your shutoffs are.
Keep a few basic tools available.
Then enjoy your guests.
The best plumbing during the holidays is plumbing nobody has to talk about.