It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Except when you’re ankle-deep in water or frantically trying to think what could be causing your clogged drain.

When your house guests ring your doorbell, be sure you’re equipped to avoid a plumbing emergency and enjoy the holidays without a hitch. Check out these 4 ways to avoid a holiday plumbing emergency.

1. Clear your drains.

Your drains are soon to be consumers of more than you think. If you want to be sure they’re in working order, consider having them cleaned before your beloved guests arrive. Installing a simple drain strainer in your sinks and showers will ensure debris won’t get stuck in your pipes and save you from having to unclog the drain or deal with a plumbing emergency. Wouldn’t you rather be partaking in your holiday outing?

2. Keep an eye on your garbage disposal.

Certain foods are a recipe for disaster for your garbage disposal. Whether you’re husking corn or looking for a dumping place for extra grease or oil, the garbage disposal is not the place. In fact, your garbage disposal can only handle so much, and the consequences of throwing even the slightest amount of unwanted items down your drain can cause quite a stir. Choose the trash bin instead.

3. Be conscious of shower times.

Unless you’re planning to tape off your bathroom doorway or invest in an “out of order” sign, your guests are going to want to shower at some point. Ask them to allow a 15-minute resting time between each person so your drain and water heater can catch up. If running out of hot water is a frequent problem in your household, perhaps it’s time to invest in a tankless water heater.

4. Invest in extra trash bins.

Toilet clogs are the last thing you want to deal with when there are guests in your home and the festivities are in full swing. Get some extra trash bins and place them in the bathroom and kitchen to be sure unwanted items aren’t being disposed of the improper way. Place one near the toilet so guests won’t be prompted to use the toilet as a garbage can and cause a plumbing emergency.

Although you can take precautions to avoid a holiday disaster, sometimes a plumbing emergency strikes when you least expect it. That’s why Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to solve your plumbing needs. Our punctual plumbers are experts in drain cleaning and emergency plumbing. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and ensure your plumbing is in proper working order.