Your Pre-Holiday plumbing checklist
The holidays are near, and no one wants to have prepared the perfect meal only to find out that the enjoyment is short-lived due to an unexpected plumbing issue. We’ve put together a simple pre-holiday plumbing checklist you can use in your home to make sure you enjoy the time with friends and family free of oh no’s or wish I would have’s.
A couple of days before your guests arrive, complete these 7 practical plumbing inspections:
1. Whole-house quick walk-through
Look under every sink (kitchen, bathrooms, laundry) for moisture, staining, or slow drips. Address them if you find something.
Check around the water heater, softener, and mechanical room for damp spots, corrosion, or active leaks. This could be an early sign of a bigger issue.
Make sure you know where the main water shutoff is—and that the valve still turns. It’s common for these valves to become stuck after years of non-use. Be gentle so you don’t cause a mini-emergency before the festivities even begin.
2. Kitchen and garbage disposal
Run hot water in the kitchen sink for 30–60 seconds and make sure it drains quickly without gurgling.
Turn on the garbage disposal and listen for grinding, humming, or jams. While it’s running, check under the sink for leaks.
Clean or install a sink strainer. Set out a “grease can” or jar near the stove or sink so grease doesn’t go down the drain.
Feel around the supply lines and disposal body for any dampness.
3. Bathrooms and toilets
Flush each toilet and confirm you get a quick, strong flush, the bowl clears, and the tank stops filling promptly.
Check around the toilet base, tank bolts, and supply line for moisture or staining.
Run water in each sink, tub, and shower to make sure they drain freely. If a drain is slow, clear hair or debris. Check out our list for the top 3 favorite plumbing gadgets. every handyman/handywoman should have.
Place a plunger and a lined trash can in each bathroom and make sure there’s plenty of toilet paper stocked.
4. Drains, traps, and odors
Run water in any rarely used fixtures (basement bath, bar sink) to refill traps and prevent sewer odors.
Clean or install hair catchers in tubs and showers. Check out our list for the top 3 favorite plumbing gadgets.
If any drain stays slow, handle it with a plunger or enzyme cleaner well before guests arrive.
5. Water heater and hot water demand
Inspect the water heater for rust, dampness around fittings, or water on the floor.
Check the temperature setting (around 120°F is typical) and confirm you’re getting steady hot water at nearby faucets.
If your water heater is older or struggles to keep up, plan to stagger showers and dishwasher cycles—call us to get a quick professional check if you've noticed issues.
6. Laundry and dishwasher
Look at washing-machine hoses for bulges, cracks, or corrosion at the fittings. Replace old rubber hoses with braided stainless if needed.
Run an empty dishwasher cycle with cleaner or vinegar to clear buildup, and make sure it drains fully without leaks at the door or under the sink.
Confirm that the laundry standpipe or sink drains freely when the washer discharges.
7. Cold-weather and backup prep
Check any exposed pipes in garages, crawlspaces, or exterior walls and add insulation where needed.
Disconnect garden hoses and make sure exterior hose bibs are turned off or are frost-free.
Put together a small “plumbing kit” you can grab quickly: plungers, an adjustable wrench, plumber’s tape, towels, a bucket, and a flashlight.
Keep the number of a trusted local plumber handy, like Keith from First Choice Water & Plumbing, in case an emergency comes up during the holiday rush.
Most of these fixes you could complete yourself, but if you’re not so handy or if the problem is more complicated, give Keith a call at 208-735-1981.