Holidays come around, and everything in the house suddenly gets busier. Kitchens run nonstop, showers never get a break, people open the fridge every ten minutes, and all of it somehow ends up pushing the plumbing harder than anyone expects. And most folks don’t really think about any of this until something slows down or backs up right when guests are almost at the door. That’s usually how it happens.
These small things below help more than people realize. Nothing fancy, just the usual stuff plumbers wish people would do before the heavy holiday traffic starts. If something feels off already, weird drains, slow sinks, water heaters acting tired, ACS Home Services has a Tampa plumbing team that handles everything.
Here are seven simple things that make the holidays much easier on your pipes.
1. Give Your Garbage Disposal a Little Break
Holiday cooking is rough on disposals. Potato peels, rice that swells up inside pipes, long stringy veggies, all that mess sticks and clogs. It’s honestly better to dump the heavy scraps in the trash instead of trying to grind everything down the sink.
Just run cold water and let the disposal spin a bit to clear itself. Nothing complicated.
2. Keep Grease Out of the Drain
Grease seems harmless when it’s hot because it pours like water. Then it cools and turns into a thick block inside the pipe. That’s why sinks clog more during the holiday season.
Just pour it into a jar or any container, let it harden, and toss it later. Saves you trouble.
3. Space Out Showers When the House Is Full
When relatives stay over, the water heater basically works overtime. If everyone jumps in the shower right after the other person, the tank barely has a chance to heat more water.
Spreading showers out by even 10–15 minutes keeps the hot water going and the heater less stressed.
4. Don’t Ignore Slow Drains Before the Holidays
A drain that’s already slow right now won’t magically behave when the house gets busier. It always gets worse. A quick cleaning or inspection before things get hectic helps more than people expect.
ACS Home Services handles drain cleaning and everything else under their Tampa plumbing services, if needed.
5. Check Your Toilets for Small Problems Early
A toilet that keeps running or takes two flushes now is going to be a headache later, especially with guests around. Most of the time, it’s just the handle, the flapper, or the fill valve.
Fixing tiny things now prevents awkward moments when people queue up.
6. Protect Your Pipes from Sudden Cold Snaps
Tampa rarely freezes, but on the occasional cold night, the outdoor pipes are the first to suffer. Wrapping them in covers, towels, or anything insulating helps prevent cracks or bursts. It’s simple and takes a minute.
7. Be Gentle with the Dishwasher
Holiday dishes pile up fast. People try to stuff everything into one load to avoid running multiple loads. But when you overload it, the spray arms can’t move properly. It’s better to run an extra load than deal with a dishwasher that leaves things dirty or drains slowly.
If the drain acts up, the ACS Home Services plumbing team can sort it out.
The holidays should feel warm and easy, not filled with “why is this drain bubbling” moments. A few habits help a lot, but if anything still feels wrong, like slow drains, random pipe noises, weak pressure, or the water heater doing strange things, ACS Home Services is just a call away at 833-278-8886.
If you want a quick check before things get busy, you can reach out to ACS Home Services at 833-278-8886 or look through their plumbing services here.
FAQs
Why does my sink clog more during the holidays?
Extra cooking, grease, and starchy leftovers build up inside the pipe much faster.
Can grease really cause major plumbing issues?
Yes. It hardens inside the drain once it cools, blocking the flow.
What shouldn’t go in the garbage disposal?
Rice, pasta, peels, bones, coffee grounds, and anything stringy usually jam it.
How do I keep hot water from running out?
Spacing showers gives the water heater time to recover.
Why is my toilet running nonstop?
Usually, it’s a simple part in the tank, like the flapper or fill valve.
What happens if pipes freeze in Tampa?
They can crack, and once they thaw, they start leaking or bursting.
Should I clean drains even if they’re only a little slow?
Yes. Slightly slow drains almost always get worse during holiday use.
When should I call a plumber during the holidays?
If drains back up, toilets overflow, water heaters stop heating, or anything smells unusual.
