Holiday Plumbing Tips for Grandparents Hosting Grandkids in Buffalo and Western New York
Gideon’s Plumbing Helps You Prepare Your Home for Safe, Fun, and Stress-Free Holiday Visits
When grandkids come to visit for the holidays, your home becomes a place of laughter, excitement, and activity. But with little ones exploring every corner, flushing unexpected items, and using water more frequently, grandparents can quickly find themselves facing plumbing surprises they didn’t see coming.
At Gideon’s Plumbing, we help homeowners across Buffalo, Amherst, Orchard Park, and Hamburg prepare their plumbing for kid-filled holiday visits. A few simple steps can help you avoid clogged toilets, slippery floors, or hot water hazards while keeping your home safe for your grandchildren.
Here are the top holiday plumbing tips every grandparent should know before the grandkids arrive.
1. Make Cabinets and Under-Sink Areas Kid-Safe
Curious grandkids love to open doors and explore whatever’s inside especially bathrooms and kitchens where plumbing pipes are easy to access.
Before they arrive:
• Add child-proof locks to cabinets under sinks
• Keep cleaners, soaps, and chemicals stored high
• Check for small leaks or loose fittings little hands could twist
• Wrap or insulate hot pipes under bathroom vanities
A quick safety sweep helps prevent both injuries and accidental plumbing damage.
2. Remind Grandkids What Should Not Go Down the Toilet
One of the most common plumbing emergencies grandparents face is a clogged toilet caused by toys, wipes, or other items flushed by curious little ones.
Make sure grandkids know not to flush:
• Wipes (even if they say “flushable”)
• Toys or small objects
• Tissues or paper towels
• Cotton balls or Q-tips
• Wrapping paper, ribbons, or craft scraps
A simple reminder, or a cute sign near the toilet, can prevent a holiday mishap.
3. Keep Hot Water Safe for Young Kids
Older water heaters can have fluctuating temperatures, making water suddenly hotter than expected. With little ones using sinks or showers, this can become a safety concern.
Before guests arrive:
• Set your water heater to 120°F
• Test faucets to ensure water doesn’t get too hot
• Consider anti-scald attachments for showers
If your water heater is inconsistent, Gideon’s Plumbing can inspect it to ensure safe temperatures throughout your visit.
4. Prevent Slips, Trips, and Wet Floors
Kids move fast, and wet floors can quickly lead to slips or falls.
To create a safer environment:
• Add non-slip bath mats in the tub and by sinks
• Check for leaks around toilets or faucets
• Use bath rugs with rubber backing
• Tighten any wobbly faucet handles grandkids might pull on
If you notice even a small leak, scheduling repairs before the holidays can prevent bigger issues once guests arrive.
5. Keep Garbage Disposal Controls Out of Reach
In many homes, the garbage disposal switch is right on the wall which is easy for little hands to flip.
To avoid accidental injuries or damage:
• Keep stools and step-ladders away from the sink
• Never leave utensils in the drain
• Consider a temporary switch cover
• Turn off the disposal at the breaker if you’re worried
Gideon’s Plumbing can also install air-switch disposals, which are safer and harder for kids to activate.
6. Protect Against Frozen Pipes if Kids Are Opening Doors Constantly
With grandkids running in and out, playing outside, or leaving garage doors ajar, cold air can get in quickly, putting your pipes at risk.
Protect your home by:
• Keeping cabinet doors open to warm under-sink pipes
• Letting faucets drip during extreme cold
• Adding foam insulation to exposed pipes
• Making sure kids close exterior doors behind them
If you suspect a pipe is getting too cold or freezing, call Gideon’s Plumbing right away.
7. Get a Pre-Holiday Safety Inspection
An inspection before the grandkids arrive is one of the best ways to ensure your home’s plumbing is ready for extra activity.
A Gideon’s Plumbing safety-focused inspection includes:
• Checking toilets for weak flushes or leaks
• Ensuring drains are clear
• Confirming safe hot water temperatures
• Inspecting exposed pipes
• Checking sump pumps (important in snowy Buffalo winters)
• Looking for trip or slip hazards caused by plumbing issues
We proudly serve Buffalo, Amherst, Orchard Park, and Hamburg with excellent service and dependable, family-friendly plumbing support.
Create a Safe, Joyful Visit for Your Grandkids
When the grandkids visit, you want to focus on making memories, not dealing with clogged drains or plumbing emergencies. With a little preparation, you can keep your home comfortable, safe, and holiday-ready.
Gideon’s Plumbing is here to help you protect your home and your loved ones during the holiday season with reliable repairs, winterization, new installs, and safety-focused solutions.
For a safe and stress-free holiday visit, call Gideon’s Plumbing – the trusted plumbing company for grandparents throughout Buffalo and Western New York.