Holiday Plumbing Tips Every Arkansas Homeowner Should Know
Keeping Things Running Smoothly in Little Rock, Hot Springs Village & Pine Bluff
The holidays bring joy, family, great food—and a lot more strain on your home’s plumbing system. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd, hosting overnight guests, or dealing with freezing temperatures in Central Arkansas, your pipes and drains are working overtime.
If you live in Little Rock, Hot Springs Village, Pine Bluff, or surrounding communities, here are smart plumbing tips to help you avoid holiday headaches and keep everything flowing smoothly from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.
1. Know What NOT to Put Down the Kitchen Sink (Garbage Disposal Rules Still Apply!)
Your kitchen gets the biggest workout during holiday cooking. But many food scraps that feel “fine” to toss in the disposal will actually cause clogs—especially with cold weather slowing down your pipes.
Here’s what never belongs in the disposal:
🚫 Grease, oils, butter, fats
🚫 Eggshells
🚫 Pasta, rice, or potatoes (they expand and become gluey)
🚫 Coffee grounds
🚫 Bones
🚫 Fibrous vegetables (celery, squash peels, onion skins)
These items can cause buildup, jams, or full sink backups—problems we commonly fix in homes across Central Arkansas this time of year.
Arkansas Pro Tip:
Because temperatures dip below freezing in many parts of the region, cooled grease hardens even faster in the pipes. Always pour grease into a container, let it solidify, and throw it away.
2. Prep Your Bathroom for Extra Visitors
If family and friends are staying over, your bathrooms will see a surge of activity. A few quick steps can prevent major issues:
✔ Empty slow drains before visitors arrive
✔ Fix running toilets (a common problem we see in Little Rock area homes)
✔ Remind guests not to flush wipes—even if the package says “flushable”
✔ Make sure each bathroom has a trash bin (it prevents toilet clogs!)
Bonus Tip:
If you have older plumbing—or have noticed periodic slowdowns—get a pre-holiday drain inspection. A small blockage now can become a big holiday disaster later.
3. Don’t Overwhelm the Water Heater
Holiday guests = more hot showers, laundry, and dishwashing. If your water heater is:
- over 8–10 years old
- slow to recover
- making popping or rumbling sounds
…it’s likely filled with sediment.
That’s extremely common in Arkansas, where mineral-heavy water speeds up sediment buildup.
Bert Black can flush the tank, check safety settings, and make sure you’ve got consistent hot water for everyone under your roof.
4. Be Prepared for Pipe Freezing (Especially in Rural Areas)
Even though Arkansas winters are mild compared to northern states, freeze-thaw cycles cause a large number of pipe bursts in our service areas.
Protect your home by:
- Insulating exposed or exterior pipes
- Leaving cabinet doors open during freezing temps
- Letting faucets drip on extremely cold nights
- Disconnecting outdoor hoses
- Keeping heat consistent—never below 55°F
If a cold snap hits—especially around Christmas or New Year’s—these small steps can prevent thousands of dollars in damage.
5. Know Your Limits: Some DIY Fixes Can Make Things Worse
We get it—holidays are busy, and you don’t want to call for help unless you really need it. But some “quick fixes” can lead to bigger and more expensive repairs.
Avoid:
⚠ Chemical drain cleaners (they can eat your pipes)
⚠ Pushing a clog deeper with coat hangers or makeshift tools
⚠ Ignoring foul smells or backup noises
When something seems off, it’s always cheaper and safer to address it early.
6. Schedule a Seasonal Plumbing Inspection Before the Holidays Hit
If you want a smooth, stress-free season, a professional plumbing check is one of the best gifts you can give your home.
With one visit, we can:
✔ Check all drains
✔ Inspect water heaters
✔ Identify hidden leaks
✔ Make sure garbage disposals are in good shape
✔ Prepare outdoor plumbing for winter freezes
Our team works across Little Rock, Hot Springs Village, Pine Bluff, and nearby areas, ensuring your home is ready for guests, weather changes, and holiday chaos.
Enjoy a Trouble-Free Holiday Season with Bert Black
Whether it’s a clogged sink during Thanksgiving dinner or a burst pipe right before guests arrive, plumbing issues tend to strike at the worst times. That’s why homeowners across Central Arkansas trust Bert Black – AC Heating Plumbing Electric for fast, reliable service—and 24/7 emergency help when you need it most.
Schedule your holiday plumbing check today and Get More peace of mind.






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