The last thing you want this season is a surprising plumbing issue, especially during a holiday party. ‘Tis the season for joy – as well as stress. When something goes wrong around the house during the holidays, it can really stretch us thin. Follow these 4 easy tricks to avoid holiday plumbing emergencies:

Be nice to your kitchen sink

The kitchen sink is where most clogs happen in the home. Don’t treat your disposal to just anything! Even though it may seem tough, garbage disposals can become clogged from large chunks of food, hard items, or tons of waste added at once. Throw away bones, seeds, and pits, and slowly scrape softer, smaller, acceptable food items into the garbage disposal a little bit at a time. And never pour grease into the sink! Lard from the grease will stick to pipes, hardening and narrowing them. Be sure to take care of your kitchen sink to help prevent plumbing problems from occurring.

Prepare your bathroom for guests 

Additional houseguests can strain your house’s plumbing in a lot of ways. An Increase in food waste and bathroom usage from guests that are unfamiliar with the system can add an unexpected plumbing disaster on your plate. Make sure to keep a wastebasket in the bathroom to prevent unwanted items from being flushed. Clogs may be inevitable, so keep a plunger nearby to tackle them when they happen. Notify guests of any low-flow toilets or special fixtures in the bathrooms – a quick note about something quirky in your bathroom can save you a huge headache!

Be careful what you put in the toilet

“Flushable” wipes and other products may be sold to us as safe to use in the bathrooms, however, they could lead to plumbing problems down the line. Not all wipes break down in the water, and many hygiene products can cause clogs and problems for residents and municipalities. Better to be safe than sorry and avoid flushing any of these sorts of products at all. You may also want to avoid drop-in toilet bowl cleaners; corrosive chemicals can leach into the water and damage the pipes. These products may provide some convenience, but they can damage home plumbing, which requires the help of a plumber to fix.

Protect your pipes 

Outside pipes may need winterizing to protect them from freezing nights, and indoor pipes should be insulated unless they are in temperature-controlled rooms. Insulating pipes with foam insulation, or even towels or blankets can help prevent freeze damage. Sealing gaps in rooms can help temperature control the area and keep pipes at a steady temperature. Keeping a drip of water running through your pipes can help keep water flowing through the pipes and prevent freezing.

Protecting and caring for your pipes will help prevent major plumbing problems during the holidays, and year-round.