The holidays bring a special kind of energy to homes around Puyallup. There are big family meals, overnight guests, kids running through the house, and a kitchen that suddenly feels like it is working overtime. With all that activity, plumbing systems get pushed far harder than usual. It is no wonder that the days right after Thanksgiving and Christmas are some of the busiest times of the year for plumbers across the Puget Sound.
Most homeowners are not thinking about plumbing until something suddenly stops working. A clogged kitchen drain, a guest bathroom crisis, or a water heater that decides to quit during the coldest week of the year can take the joy right out of a holiday gathering. A little preparation goes a long way, and it can save you from a stressful emergency call when you would rather be relaxing with family.
Know Your Kitchen’s Limits Before the Big Cooking Days
A kitchen that handles everyday use without trouble can still run into problems once the holiday cooking really kicks in. Food waste increases, pots and pans pile up, and every appliance seems to be running at the same time. Even a small clog can create a chain reaction, especially when a garbage disposal is in the mix. Many holiday plumbing issues start with things that get washed down the drain that should have gone straight into the trash instead.
Teaching everyone in the house what not to put in the kitchen sink can save you a lot of frustration during the busiest cooking days. Even people who mean well can accidentally cause damage if they are not familiar with what your plumbing system can handle. It helps to keep a small trash bowl or compost bin on the counter for easy cleanup.
Some of the worst offenders include:
- Turkey skin, chicken fat, bacon drippings, or any kind of cooking grease
- Potato peels, carrot peels, and other fibrous scraps that bind inside pipes
- Pasta, rice, and bread that expand and form sticky blockages
- Coffee grounds that settle and create dense clogs
- Eggshells that add grit and strain the disposal
- Stringy foods like celery or onion skins
- Large bones that can jam the garbage disposal
- Thick gravies or sauces that harden as they cool
A little awareness helps your kitchen plumbing stay clear and ready for the next round of cooking.
Give Your Garbage Disposal Some Holiday Support
Garbage disposals get punished during the holidays. When they are used nonstop, problems show up fast. Sometimes the disposal overheats, sometimes it jams, and sometimes it simply gets overwhelmed by the amount of food scraps. A disposal that starts making unusual grinding noises or humming without spinning needs attention before it burns out completely.
You can help your disposal last through the holidays by treating it with some extra care. When a house is full, it is easy for guests to flip the switch without checking what is in the drain, so it helps to have someone keep an eye on things during busy cleanup times. Cold water also plays a key role because it helps grease solidify before it reaches the drain line, making it easier for the disposal to chop.
To keep your disposal healthy through the season, follow these simple habits:
- Run cold water for several seconds before and after using the disposal
- Feed scraps slowly instead of dumping a full plate into the drain
- Avoid grinding tough or fibrous foods
- Use small ice cubes to help clean the blades
- Keep silverware and bones away from the drain opening
- Listen for strange sounds that point to a developing issue
- Avoid overloading the disposal when the sink is full
- Turn the disposal off right away if you hear a grinding jam
These little steps can help your disposal survive even the biggest holiday feast.
Prepare Your Bathroom for Extra Guests
Guest bathrooms get a workout during the holidays. Toilets, showers, and sinks often see twice the use they normally do, and that extra strain can reveal problems you never knew existed. A toilet that flushes slowly, a faucet that leaks only a little, or a drain that gurgles when no one is using it can turn into a holiday headache if it is ignored.
One of the simplest things you can do is walk through every bathroom in the house before guests arrive. Flush each toilet, run the sinks, and check for moisture around the base of fixtures. Even small leaks can cause big problems if the bathroom is in constant use. If you notice slow drains, take care of them ahead of time instead of waiting until there are people lined up outside the door.
When prepping your bathroom for holiday traffic, it helps to think about:
- Stocking extra toilet paper and keeping it visible
- Providing a small wastebasket for items that should not be flushed
- Adding a plunger where guests can find it easily
- Making sure vanity cabinets open and close without sticking
- Checking for loose toilet handles or wobbly fixtures
- Clearing out anything stored behind the toilet that guests may bump
- Testing the shower for slow drainage or low pressure
- Ensuring that GFCI outlets are working correctly
The more prepared you are, the less likely you are to face awkward bathroom issues during family gatherings.
Keep Your Water Heater Ready for Heavy Use
A water heater has a tough job during the holidays. Hot water demand goes up dramatically when people are cooking, washing dishes, showering, or running extra loads of laundry. A unit that is already aging or struggling may have trouble keeping up, and the last thing any host wants is a cold shower surprise. The good news is that a little planning can prevent most water heater problems.
If your water heater has not been serviced in a while, sediment may be building at the bottom of the tank. This reduces efficiency and can make the unit work harder than it should. Another concern is the thermostat setting. Many homeowners keep the temperature lower during normal months to save energy, but during the holidays, a small bump in temperature can provide a more comfortable buffer for guests. Just make sure not to exceed safe temperature limits.
Here are some simple ways to help your water heater make it through the season:
- Schedule a quick tune-up if the unit is older or overdue for maintenance
- Adjust shower times so everyone does not bathe back-to-back
- Avoid running the dishwasher while people are showering
- Consider raising the thermostat slightly for increased comfort
- Check for signs of leaks around the tank
- Make sure the drain valve is not clogged
- Insulate pipes if they are exposed to cold temperatures
These steps can help your water heater stay consistent even with a house full of guests.
Watch for Warning Signs Before They Become Emergencies
Most plumbing disasters start small. A toilet that runs longer than normal, a drain that makes a strange noise, or a faucet that drips only occasionally can quickly become problems during the holidays. Since the season is already busy, homeowners sometimes ignore the early signs, which can lead to much bigger issues later. Paying attention to your plumbing system before the rush begins can save you from last minute stress.
Strange odors from drains are another sign that something needs attention. When sinks or tubs smell unpleasant, there may be a partial clog or venting issue developing. It can also mean the P trap under the sink has lost water and is allowing sewer gases to creep upward. Checking these things ahead of time gives you peace of mind before hosting a crowd.
Some red flags to look out for include:
- Gurgling drains or slow-draining sinks
- Toilets that need multiple flushes
- Water backing up into other fixtures
- Unusual sounds coming from pipes
- Musty smells near cabinets or flooring
- Standing water under sinks
- Low water pressure
- Repeated clogs that keep returning
Catching these problems early helps keep the holiday season running smoothly.
Protect Your Home When Temperatures Drop
Holiday gatherings usually mean more cooking, more laundry, and more showers. But in Puyallup, the holidays also mean colder temperatures. Cold snaps can cause unexpected plumbing issues, especially in homes with older pipes or areas that are not insulated well. A frozen pipe is one of the most disruptive winter plumbing problems, and it often happens in garages, crawlspaces, and exterior walls.
You can reduce your risk by insulating vulnerable areas and letting cabinets breathe when temperatures drop. Even freeing up a little warm air flow near pipes can prevent them from freezing. If you notice frost or condensation around pipes or fixtures, that is a sign to take action immediately. Heat tape, pipe insulation, and weather stripping can provide extra protection if installed properly.
A few smart precautions can make a big difference:
- Insulate pipes in unheated areas
- Open cabinet doors under sinks during cold nights
- Keep garage doors closed to trap warmth
- Disconnect outdoor hoses
- Let faucets drip slightly during severe cold
- Seal gaps near plumbing penetrations
- Check crawlspaces for drafts
- Keep thermostat settings steady
Staying ahead of winter plumbing risks helps keep your home safer during the holidays.
Schedule a Pre-Holiday Plumbing Check
If your home has older plumbing or you have had recurring issues in the past, a quick pre holiday inspection from a professional can be worth every penny. Many families in the Puyallup area schedule minor service visits before hosting large gatherings so they can enjoy the season without worrying about surprise emergencies. A trained eye can spot things that homeowners might miss, like subtle leaks, pressure problems, or drains that need attention.
A professional inspection often includes checking water pressure, testing fixtures, looking for early signs of pipe corrosion, flushing the water heater, and clearing out slow drains. These simple steps help ensure your home is ready for guests and heavy use. Even if nothing major needs repair, you gain confidence knowing your plumbing system is prepared for the holiday workload.
Professional checks typically include:
- Evaluating toilets for weak flushes or internal leaks
- Inspecting seals and gaskets on faucets and fixtures
- Testing water heater function and temperature
- Checking garbage disposal performance
- Clearing partially clogged drains
- Inspecting visible pipes for signs of wear
- Verifying water pressure balance
- Ensuring all shutoff valves operate correctly
A quick appointment now can prevent an emergency call later when you least expect it.
Dealing With a Holiday Plumbing Emergency? Call Taylor!
Sometimes plumbing surprises happen even with preparation, and when they do, Taylor Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical is ready to help. Our team understands how stressful it can be to deal with a backed up kitchen, a flooded bathroom, or a cold shower during a holiday gathering. We respond quickly, and we focus on solutions that get your home back to normal as fast as possible.
Whether you are dealing with a clogged drain, a broken fixture, or a water heater that decided to stop working at the worst time, we are here for you. Families across Puyallup trust our technicians because we handle every call with care, honesty, and expertise. If the holiday season brings an unexpected plumbing emergency, Taylor will be there to take care of your home right away.