When the holidays roll around, your home fills with the warmth of family, good food, and plenty of activity. But all that extra cooking, showering, laundry, and bathroom use can quietly put a major strain on your septic system. Tanks and drain fields are designed for steady, everyday use — not sudden surges of water and waste. A few simple precautions can help you avoid backups, slow drains, foul odors, or even long-term damage.

Why holiday traffic stresses a septic system

During normal use, solids in a septic tank have time to settle before wastewater flows out into the drain field. When the home is busy and water use spikes, the system moves faster than it can properly process. This can push solids into the drain field, reduce the tank’s holding time, and increase the risk of a clog or overflow. If your tank is already due for a pump-out, the added load can be enough to tip things over the edge.

Spread out water-heavy tasks

One of the easiest steps you can take is to avoid doing everything at once.

  • Spread out laundry loads over multiple days instead of cramming them into a few hours.
  • Stagger showers, giving the system time to recover between morning and evening use.
  • Run the dishwasher once per day rather than multiple times in close succession.

These small scheduling changes reduce sudden surges and help keep your system operating at peak efficiency.

Watch what goes down the drain

During family gatherings, it’s easy for guests to slip things into trash cans or drains without thinking. Remind everyone — kindly — that septic systems can’t handle wipes, feminine products, paper towels, cotton rounds, or anything labeled “flushable.”

In the kitchen, avoid pouring grease, fats, or oils down the drain. Holiday meals often produce a lot of cooking residue that can quickly solidify in pipes and add unnecessary stress on your septic tank.

Check your pump-out schedule

If you can’t remember when your tank was last serviced, or if it’s been several years, it may be time for a professional inspection or pump-out — especially before hosting. Many homeowners don’t realize a tank can fill faster with additional guests in the home, and an overdue pump-out is one of the biggest culprits behind holiday septic emergencies.

Little’s is here when you need us

Whether you live in Wheelersburg, Ashland, Ironton, or anywhere in the surrounding Tri-State region, Little’s Septic & Grease Trap Service can help you prepare your system for heavy-use seasons. From inspections to pump-outs, we’ll make sure your septic system is ready for whatever the holidays bring.