At My Georgia Plumber, we know the holidays are all about family, food, and enjoying time together. But with a full house and a busy kitchen, your plumbing can get pushed to the limit—and fast.
The last thing anyone wants is a sink that won’t drain or a toilet that backs up in the middle of dinner. A few simple steps can make a big difference. Here’s what we recommend to keep things running smoothly this season.
8 Holiday Plumbing Tips to Help You Avoid a Mess
1. Scrape Plates Into the Trash, Not the Sink
It’s easy to rinse food down the drain when you’re cleaning up after a big meal, but that’s asking for a clog—especially if you don’t have a garbage disposal. Even with one, it’s best to avoid putting in bones, peels, grease, or pasta.
Use a sink strainer to catch scraps. It’s cheap, easy to clean, and can save you from a call to the plumber.
2. Don’t Overload the Garbage Disposal
Your disposal is built to handle small bits of food, not everything left on a dinner plate. Avoid fibrous foods like celery, starchy items like rice, and anything oily or greasy. Run cold water during and after use to help things move along.
If something feels questionable, throw it out. The disposal isn’t a magic blender—it has its limits.
3. Space Out Showers
If you’re hosting overnight guests, your water heater and bathroom drains are going to be working overtime. Spacing out showers by 10 to 15 minutes can help keep hot water available and give the drains a chance to clear.
Use hair catchers in tub and shower drains to keep hair and soap scum from building up.
4. Only Flush What Should Be Flushed
Toilets are only meant for human waste and toilet paper. Anything else—even so-called “flushable” wipes—can clog your pipes.
Put up a small sign or keep a trash can close by so guests have somewhere to toss wipes, feminine products, cotton pads, and other items that shouldn’t go down the toilet.
5. Let Grease Cool—Then Toss It
Pouring grease down the drain is one of the most common causes of serious kitchen clogs. Even if it’s hot and liquid now, it’ll cool and harden in the pipes.
Instead, pour grease into a heat-safe container or foil-lined bowl, let it solidify, and toss it in the trash. It’s better for your plumbing and less messy overall.
6. Hold Off on the Dishwasher
Your dishwasher and kitchen sink often share the same drain line. If the disposal is running or the drain is struggling, turning on the dishwasher could cause a backup, or even push food waste into your dishes.
Run the garbage disposal first, then wait a few minutes before starting the dishwasher. Better safe than scrubbing dirty plates twice.
7. Minimize Kitchen Traffic
Too many hands in the kitchen can lead to accidents. Someone might dump food into a sink with no disposal or pour grease down the wrong drain.
Designate one or two people to handle cleanup, and make sure the trash, compost bin, and disposal area are clearly marked. It helps avoid mistakes (and saves you from explaining where everything goes).
8. Freshen Up the Sink Naturally
If your kitchen sink smells off, it could be food waste lingering in the drain. A brine solution or baking soda, followed by hot water, can help knock out the smell and clear light buildup—no harsh chemicals required.
What to Do If Something Still Goes Wrong
Even with the best planning, plumbing doesn’t always cooperate. If your toilet won’t flush, your kitchen sink is bubbling, or you’re standing in a shower that won’t drain, don’t wait for it to fix itself.
My Georgia Plumber is here 24/7, even on holidays. We handle:
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Clogged drains
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Backed-up toilets
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Kitchen sink overflows
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Water heater issues
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Emergency pipe repairs
You focus on the celebration—we’ll take care of the rest.
