The holidays are here, and that means family gatherings, festive meals, and more traffic through your plumbing system. To keep everything flowing, it helps to follow a few residential holiday tips designed to protect your septic system. Here’s how to keep your celebrations stress-free and your drains clog-free.

Holiday Septic Tips for a Clog-Free Season

Extra guests mean more water and more waste. This is the perfect time to stick to the “3 P’s” rule—only flush pee, poo, and (toilet) paper. Even wipes labeled “flushable” can clog up a septic system and lead to backups. A quick, polite reminder to guests can go a long way toward preventing problems.

In the kitchen, be mindful of grease and food waste. Never pour cooking grease down the sink. Instead, let it cool and throw it away in a disposable container. Food scraps should go in the trash, not the garbage disposal. These small but powerful residential holiday tips help prevent blockages and keep your system working properly.

Keep the Showers Merry, Not Scary

A full house is fun—but your septic system will notice the extra water use. Try staggering shower times to give the system time to recover between uses. This simple tip helps avoid backups and keeps the hot water running, so guests aren’t surprised by a cold splash.

Laundry can also add up quickly during long weekends. If possible, do laundry before your guests arrive or wait until after they leave. Spacing out loads is one more way to take pressure off your system.

Schedule a Pre-Holiday Pumping

If your septic tank hasn’t been pumped in a while, this is the ideal time to schedule service. A pre-holiday pump gives your system the capacity to handle extra flushing, dishwashing, and showers. If you’ve already packed your schedule, book just after the holidays to start the new year right.

Enjoy your holiday season with peace of mind, knowing your septic system can handle the celebrations.

With these residential holiday tips, you can focus on the fun—whether it’s carolers at the door or cousins crowding the kitchen. Happy hosting from all of us at HomeField!