Holiday Plumbing Tips: Prevent Clogs and Other Winter Plumbing Issues

The holiday season is a time for celebration, family gatherings, and plenty of home-cooked meals—but it’s also one of the busiest times of year for your plumbing system. With more people in your Red Lion, home, heavier kitchen usage, and colder outdoor temperatures, your pipes and drains can face added stress. 

A small mistake in the kitchen or a forgotten winter preventative step can quickly turn into a major plumbing headache.

At H.L. Bowman, we want you to enjoy a smooth, stress-free holiday season. These practical plumbing tips will help you prevent clogs, avoid winter pipe problems, and keep your home running comfortably while guests come and go.

Be Kind to Your Kitchen Drain (and Garbage Disposal)

Your kitchen plumbing sees the most action during this time of year, especially with big meals, holiday baking, and all-day cooking. But not every food scrap belongs in the sink, even if you have a garbage disposal. 

To prevent frustrating clogs and backed-up drains, keep these guidelines in mind:

1. Avoid Putting Grease or Oils Down the Drain

Turkey drippings, bacon grease, and pan oils may go down as warm liquid, but they solidify as they cool, coating your pipes and creating stubborn blockages. 

Instead make sure you (and any guests helping cook):

• Pour grease into a disposable container,
• Let it cool and harden, and
• Throw it away in the trash.

Your pipes (and wallet) will thank you later.

2. Keep Fibrous Foods Out of the Disposal

Holiday favorites like potato peels, celery, onion skins, and corn husks can wrap around the disposal blades or clump together inside the drain line. These foods should always be tossed in the trash or compost, not ground up.

3. Scrape Plates Before Washing

The more solids you keep out of your sink, the better. Even small food particles can accumulate over time, especially when your plumbing is handling higher-than-usual usage.

4. Run Cold Water When Using the Disposal

Cold water helps solidify any grease that makes it down the drain, allowing the disposal to chop it more effectively, reducing buildup in the drain line. Let cold water run for 10–15 seconds after turning the disposal off to clear the line fully.

Protect Your Bathroom Plumbing From Overuse

When holiday guests are in town, bathrooms tend to get overworked. A few simple steps can minimize problems and prevent embarrassing clogs or backups.

1. Use a Garbage Can, Not the Toilet

It’s worth posting a small reminder in the bathroom or mentioning to guests that only toilet paper should be flushed. Items like the following an cause major toilet clogs and may require professional sewer line clearing:

• Makeup wipes
• Feminine products
• Cotton balls
• Paper towels
• Dental floss
• Baby wipes

2. Space Out Showers When Possible

Your water heater and drains both need time to recover. Spacing showers 10–15 minutes apart helps:

• Maintain consistent hot water
• Prevent slow-draining tubs
• Reduce stress on your plumbing system

3. Install Hair Catchers

Holiday guests plus winter shedding can quickly clog shower drains. Hair catchers are an inexpensive and extremely effective way to prevent drain blockages during busy seasons.

Prevent Frozen Pipes Before Temperatures Drop

Northeast winters can get cold fast, and frozen pipes are one of the most common winter plumbing emergencies. The good news? A few preventive measures can help you avoid pipe bursts and costly repairs.

1. Insulate Exposed Pipes

Pipes in unheated areas like garages, basements, crawlspaces, outdoor walls are the most vulnerable. Adding foam pipe insulation is an easy DIY project and provides strong protection.

2. Keep Cabinet Doors Open

If you have sinks on exterior walls, leave cabinet doors open during cold nights to let warm air circulate around the pipes.

3. Let Faucets Drip During Extreme Cold

A slow, steady drip keeps water moving, which is often enough to prevent freezing.

4. Seal Air Leaks

Cold drafts from gaps or cracks can expose pipes to freezing temperatures, even inside your home. Sealing these drafts helps:

• Protect pipes
• Improve energy efficiency
• Keep your home more comfortable

If you’re unsure where your pipes are exposed, H.L. Bowman’s plumbers can perform a detailed inspection and help you take the right steps before winter hits full force.

Know the Signs of a Plumbing Problem Before It Gets Worse

Catching an issue early is the easiest way to prevent costly repairs. Watch for:

• Slow drains
• Foul odors from sinks or tubs
• Gurgling sounds when draining water
• Reduced water pressure
• Unexplained increases in your water bill

If you notice any of these warning signs, don’t wait. Heavy holiday usage can turn small issues into big ones quickly.

Schedule Preventive Maintenance for Peace of Mind

The best holiday gift you can give your home is a little preventive care. A professional plumbing inspection ensures your drains, fixtures, and water heater are ready for the holiday rush. The Red Lion, plumbers with HL Bowman can check for:

• Drain buildup
• Water heater performance issues
• Hidden leaks
• Pipe insulation needs
• Potential sewer line problems

A simple checkup today can prevent a plumbing emergency tomorrow, especially when you have a house full of family and friends over the holiday season.

Enjoy Stress-Free Holidays With Help From HL Bowman

The holidays are meant for making memories, not dealing with clogged drains or frozen pipes. With smart maintenance, proper waste disposal, and early winter preparation, you can keep your plumbing system working smoothly all season long.

If you do run into an issue—or want to schedule a preventative service—H.L. Bowman serves Red Lion, PA, and surrounding cities with reliable, friendly plumbing support.

Call our licensed plumbers today at 717-287-5504 or request service online to schedule your holiday plumbing checkup or emergency service.