Preparing Your Plumbing for the Holidays: Tips for Victorville Homeowners Hosting Guests
Thompson Family Plumbing is your go-to choice for residential plumbing repair and installation throughout Lake Havasu City, AZ and Hesperia, CA.


The holidays are here, and so are your guests! Your home’s plumbing is about to work overtime, and the last thing you need is a clogged drain or a cold shower stealing the spotlight. Don’t worry—these simple tips will help your plumbing handle the holiday hustle like a pro.
Protect Your Drains: Don’t Let Leftovers Go Down the Pipes
Victorville homeowners, this one’s for you: grease, coffee grounds, and starchy foods like potato peels don’t belong in your drains. They’ll clog faster than your guests hit the dessert table. Use a sink strainer to catch debris, and remind everyone that your garbage disposal is not a trash compactor.
Safe For Drains | Keep Out of Drains |
---|---|
Small, soft food particles
|
Turkey bones, chicken bones, or any large bones |
Broth, gravy (without grease)
|
Grease, oil, and fat from turkey or bacon |
Water-based liquids like soup
|
Starchy foods: mashed potatoes, rice, pasta |
Small fruit/vegetable bits (e.g., tomato seeds)
|
Fibrous vegetable scraps: celery, asparagus, onion skins |
Soft cooked vegetables
|
Eggshells |
Mild dish soap residue
|
Coffee grounds or tea leaves |
Give Your Water Heater Some TLC
Nobody wants to take a cold shower, especially during the holidays. Check your water heater to ensure it’s ready for the increased demand. For Victorville homes with hard water, flushing your tank can prevent sediment buildup and keep things running smoothly. Not sure how? Call your local plumber to handle it.
Toilet Etiquette: No Flush Zone for Non-Flushables
This one’s awkward but necessary. Let your guests know that only toilet paper goes down the toilet. Feminine products, baby wipes, and other items can cause clogs that no one wants to deal with (especially during dinner). Keep a small trash can in the bathroom to make it easy for everyone.
Run Your Dishwasher Wisely
Your dishwasher will be working overtime, so give it a hand. Scrape food off plates before loading them, and only run full loads to save water and energy. If your dishwasher drains slowly, it might be time for a professional drain cleaning before the holidays hit full swing.
Your dishwasher will be your MVP this season. Keep it running smoothly by:
- Scraping plates before loading (but no rinsing—save water!).
- Running only full loads to conserve energy.
- Checking the drain filter for food debris after heavy use.
Know an Emergency Plumber in Victorville
Even with the best preparations, plumbing issues can happen. Save the number of a trusted Victorville emergency plumber so you’re not frantically Googling at the worst possible moment. Quick response can make all the difference in salvaging your holiday cheer.
Continue reading: What to do in a plumbing emergency: Quick steps for Victorville homeowners
The holidays are about celebrating with loved ones, not battling plumbing disasters. A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping your home running smoothly. With these tips, your plumbing will be ready to handle the festive chaos—and so will you.

Devynn Thompson
What Our Valued Customers Are Saying
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“Always go above and beyond for their customers”
Once again Thompson Family Plumbing came in and took care of us as if we were their family. They always go above and beyond for their customers and make you feel like you are important to them. I can’t thank them enough for coming in and taking care of the issues that I had with my home as quickly as they did. Absolutely the best plumbing company around. Thank you, John and Devynn for everything.
-Nicole H.
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“Price was more than reasonable, especially last minute”
What a great local family company. Had a little issue today (Saturday). Gave them a call. The lady said she would have someone here between 3 & 5. It was at 1 when I called. 3:00 on the nose Don was here. Don was very friendly and had the broken pipe fixed in no time at all. The price was more than reasonable, especially last minute on a Saturday.
-Andy S.
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“Fantastic job of analyzing the situation and making all the necessary repairs”
Thank you Thompson Family Plumbing for your quick and professional service. Don did a fantastic job of analyzing the situation and making all the necessary repairs. Clients were happy with the professionalism and knowledge that Don possessed in getting the job done. Ashley went out of her way to ensure that an appointment was made asap for the clients.
-Richard B.
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“Took care of it in no time”
Plumbing technician Dean Taylor came over last week to set up a line so I could get a dishwasher installed. I didn’t have the proper setup but he took care of it in no time! Now the installers will have no problem doing it. He was very knowledgeable and professional. I will definitely have him come back for other plumbing jobs. From start to finish everyone I spoke to was very helpful! Their customer service is outstanding!
-Jackie L.
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“Gave me great peace of mind”
Great experience with TFP! They were super professional and friendly, exactly on time, fixed the issue, AND were inexpensive. I received a text when to expect them with a picture of my two technicians (Dean & Kade) AND their license numbers included in the text. This gave me great peace of mind as I am a woman that lives alone. I highly recommend Thompson Family Plumbing!
-Brisa A.
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“Integrity and honesty”
I cannot say enough good things about this amazing company. We found them through reading other people’s reviews on Yelp. They have helped us with a plumbing issue and installing a new hot water heater. They are prompt, reasonable, and incredibly helpful. John’s integrity and honesty along with the rest of the crew would make it a pleasure to recommend to anyone and everyone.
-Joyce A.