The holidays may have passed, but this does not mean you have no intention of having family and friends over at your house. While visitors may present a fantastic way to pass the time, you may not be prepared for some of the damage that could happen to your home.

Are you wondering what impact large groups might have on your plumbing? Keep reading to learn more about the common issues people face when they have lots of visitors.

The Toilet Is Clogged

One of the worst things that can happen in your bathroom is that the toilet continues filling but not allowing waste to keep flowing. When this happens, you run the risk of your toilet spilling over.

One reason your toilet may be clogged is that your toilet is simply working overtime. When lots of people are eating, drinking, and using the toilet, you are at higher risk for having toilet troubles.

Children are also a common culprit for causing toilet problems. They may not understand the damage they cause by throwing toys and other items in the toilet.

Certain items, like feminine hygiene products and cotton swabs, can also cause your toilet to back up. While most people know they shouldn't try to flush these items, some of your guests might not.

The Kitchen Sink Is Clogged

Many visitors may not realize how sensitive kitchen drains can be. Even if you have a garbage disposal, don’t put oils, peels, or shells down the drain. Visitors may not know better, and so you may notice some clogs prompted by food stuck in your drain or pipes. You may be able to prevent this problem by ensuring guests who cook use the trash for large items and oils.

You can also remedy this problem by always running cold water when you use the garbage disposal. Cold water will help push the particles down.

The Water Is Cold

Are you out of hot water? Having many people showering could be overworking your heater. You may need to adjust the temperature on the heater, or perhaps you need to consider getting a replacement. Sometimes simply waiting for 15 to 20 minutes can help the heater catch up.

The Tub Will Not Drain

Chances are that having more people in your home also means you have more people showering. If you do not take precautions to catch hair before it goes down the drain by using a strainer, you might notice that your bathtub fills up quickly. You may even need to call in a professional to remove an extreme blockage.

The Dishwasher Won't Work

Sometimes dishwashers get finicky if you use them more than usual while you have visitors. You may realize that water doesn’t drain properly, meaning you will need to use a bucket and drain it yourself. The cause could be food waste blocking your drains, perhaps brought on by so much additional use.

If food blocks your dishwasher from draining, you need to clear it out. One way to do this is to pour vinegar in the bottom of your dishwasher or create a baking soda rinse. You might also need to clean the dishwasher filter. If these steps don't work, have a plumber inspect your unit.

What You Can Do

One of the first things you might consider is getting an inspection of your plumbing system before you have visitors. This preventative step can save your guests some embarrassment and also prevent you from having to call a plumber while you have visitors, making the situation all the more difficult.

Complete Plumbing understands the risks you face when you invite loved ones into your home. As you brace for plumbing issues, keep us in mind. When you have problems with your plumbing, we are just one phone call away.