As November ushers in the holiday season, Fort Wayne homeowners begin preparing their homes for visiting family and friends. While cleaning, decorating, and cooking often take center stage, one essential system is frequently overlooked — your plumbing. The increase in guests, food preparation, and bathroom use can strain your home’s pipes, drains, and sewer system. A few proactive steps now can prevent clogs, slow drains, and backups that could ruin your holiday cheer.
- Why Holiday Plumbing Prep Is Essential
During gatherings, your home’s water usage can double or even triple. Kitchens and bathrooms work overtime, and older sewer systems may struggle to handle the load.
Common Holiday Plumbing Challenges:
✅ Toilets and sinks in constant use, leading to pressure on drain lines.
✅ Increased kitchen waste and grease disposal.
✅ Laundry and dishwashing cycles overlapping with showers.
✅ Sewer mains overloaded due to heavy household usage.
Fort Wayne Note: Many neighborhoods in Fort Wayne have older combined sewer systems, meaning both stormwater and wastewater share the same main line. This makes proper flow and maintenance crucial before guests arrive.
- Preparing Bathrooms for Extra Use
Guest bathrooms see much higher traffic during the holidays, and small issues can quickly become big problems.
Bathroom Prep Checklist:
✅ Check for slow drains and clear them before guests arrive.
✅ Ensure toilets flush properly and refill quickly.
✅ Keep a plunger accessible in each bathroom.
✅ Inspect under-sink pipes for small leaks.
✅ Place waste bins near toilets to prevent improper flushing.
Pro Tip: Remind guests that only toilet paper should be flushed — not wipes, paper towels, or hygiene products.
- Kitchen Drain & Garbage Disposal Readiness
The kitchen becomes the busiest room in the house during Thanksgiving and holiday dinners, making drain care vital.
Prevent Kitchen Clogs by:
✅ Avoid pouring grease, oil, or butter down the sink.
✅ Scrape food waste into the trash before rinsing dishes.
✅ Run cold water while using the garbage disposal.
✅ Dispose of fibrous foods (celery, potato peels) in the trash, not the disposal.
✅ Clean the disposal with ice cubes and lemon peels to reduce odor.
Fort Wayne Insight: With heavy cooking and cleanup, many Fort Wayne plumbers see a 25% spike in service calls immediately after Thanksgiving — most due to grease clogs and disposal jams.
- Sump Pump & Basement Backup Prevention
If your home has a sump pump, make sure it’s in perfect working order before winter storms or heavy holiday rain.
Sump Pump Maintenance Steps:
✅ Test by pouring a bucket of water into the pit.
✅ Verify that it discharges water away from your foundation.
✅ Inspect discharge lines for freezing or blockage.
✅ Check your backup power system or battery charge.
Fort Wayne Note: Homes near river basins and low-lying neighborhoods like Waynedale and North Highlands are especially prone to basement flooding during November’s heavy rain events.
- Preventing Sewer Backups During Peak Use
With guests showering, cooking, and doing laundry, your main sewer line experiences a surge in water flow. If roots, grease, or buildup already exist, it could back up into your home.
Preventive Measures:
✅ Schedule a professional sewer camera inspection before guests arrive.
✅ Have your line cleaned using hydrojetting to remove buildup.
✅ Install a backwater valve to prevent sewage from re-entering your home.
✅ Clear yard and street drains of leaves to reduce system overload.
Pro Tip: A pre-holiday sewer cleaning is one of the simplest ways to ensure smooth drainage during high household use.
- Quick Emergency Plan — Just in Case
Even with preparation, accidents can happen. Having an action plan ensures a fast response if a plumbing issue arises mid-gathering.
Homeowner Emergency Tips:
✅ Know where your home’s main water shutoff valve is located.
✅ Keep AAA Sewer Service’s number handy for 24/7 support.
✅ Turn off affected fixtures immediately at the first sign of backup.
✅ Avoid chemical drain cleaners — they can worsen damage.
✅ Relocate valuables away from basement drains or plumbing fixtures.
Final Thought
Your plumbing system deserves as much attention as your holiday decorations this season. By tackling small issues early and scheduling preventive maintenance, you’ll keep your home’s water systems running smoothly — so you can focus on hosting, celebrating, and making memories with peace of mind.
📞 Call AAA Sewer Service at (260) 456-6930
🌐 Visit www.aaasewerservice.com