SERVING THE PNW & SURROUNDING AREAS - 24/7 Emergency Service

Emergency Plumbing Tips for Holiday Gatherings

Holiday gatherings are great until the kitchen sink backs up or a guest whispers that the toilet “won’t stop filling.” Next thing you know, you’ll need emergency plumbing help. With more people in the house and more food going down the drains, small issues you barely notice the rest of the year can suddenly turn into emergencies.

Here are a few simple ways to keep things moving and what to do if something goes sideways.

emergency plumbing near me, clogged toilet fix, best plumbers near me, holiday plumbing tips, emergency plumber, drain cleaning, septic service, plumbing backup help, rapid plumbing repair

Stagger showers when you can

If family is staying over, space out showers so your water heater and drains can keep up. A 15 minute breather between showers helps prevent slow drains and cold water surprises.

Watch what goes into the kitchen sink

Cooking for a crowd usually means lots of peeling, chopping, and rinsing. Potato skins, eggshells, stringy veggies, rice, and grease are the biggest troublemakers. Grease cools and hardens inside your pipes, and starch-heavy scraps swell which makes clogs more likely. Scrape food into the trash first, then rinse plates. If someone offers to help clean up, this is the one instruction worth giving.

Give the garbage disposal a break

A disposal is tough, but not tough enough for bones, pits, or huge handfuls of leftovers. Run cold water while it is on, feed small amounts at a time, and let the water run a few seconds after shutting it off. If it hums instead of grinding, stop because the motor may be jammed.

Prep your bathroom for extra guests

A clogged toilet during a full house is no one’s favorite holiday surprise. Keep a plunger visible, place a small waste basket in the bathroom, and remind kids or forgetful adults not to flush wipes, cotton balls, or anything that is not toilet paper.
For a quick clogged toilet fix, one solid plunge with a good seal usually works better than lots of frantic ones.

Know when it is time to call a pro!

If water starts backing up into sinks, tubs, or floor drains, you may be dealing with a deeper clog or a septic issue. That is when searching emergency plumbing near me becomes the right move. FloHawks techs handle everything from overflowing toilets to full drain backups, 24 hours a day.

A few signs that mean you should call now

  • Water pooling around a toilet base

  • Gurgling sounds from multiple drains

  • Sewage odor coming from sinks or tubs

  • A disposal that will not reset

  • Any flood, leak, or backup you cannot stop

Holiday plumbing problems do not need to wreck the celebration. Keep these tips close and call FloHawks any time you need help. Our team of the best plumbers near me is ready to get your home back on track fast.

For rapid, reliable holiday plumbing service, contact FloHawks today or visit https://flohawks.com/ to learn more about our services.

Share This Post

OUR SERVICES

Isaiah Taylor

Service Advisor

Tacoma native Isaiah Taylor has been part of the FloHawks team for four years. As a Service Advisor, he focuses on building strong relationships with customers and making sure they feel confident in the solutions being provided.

Isaiah believes the company’s culture sets FloHawks apart. He appreciates working alongside people who genuinely care about customers and take pride in doing the job right.

At 26, Isaiah is focused on building his career and continuing to grow in the industry. When he’s not working, you’ll likely find him in the gym lifting weights and staying active.

Kevin Elbert

Service Advisor

Born in Olympia and now living in Lacey, Kevin Elbert has spent 11 years serving customers with FloHawks. As a Service Advisor, he is focused on helping homeowners and businesses find solutions when plumbing or septic issues arise.

Kevin’s favorite part of the job is working with customers who need help and finding a path forward that solves the problem. He values being part of a team that takes pride in delivering dependable service when it matters most.

In his free time, Kevin enjoys staying active outdoors. Hiking, camping, fishing, photography, soccer, and travel are some of his favorite ways to spend time when he’s not at work. At home, he stays busy with his four teenagers.

Stephen Redford

Service Advisor

Stephen Redford was born in Tacoma and now lives in Gig Harbor. With 14 years at FloHawks, he’s built a reputation as both a trusted Service Advisor and a key contributor to the company’s growth and outreach.

Stephen plays a role in business development, trade shows, and marketing while also supporting service operations across multiple areas. He appreciates FloHawks’ unique culture and commitment to customer service, believing the team consistently goes above and beyond what most companies offer.

Outside of work, Stephen enjoys walking, playing golf, and riding motorcycles. He’s married to his wife, Lori, and is the proud father of three children.

Janie “J” Kirkland

Service Advisor Assistant

Janie “J” Kirkland was born in Miami, Florida, and now calls Roy, Washington, home. Despite being newer to FloHawks, joining the team mid-2025, she has already become a valued member of the Service Advisor support team.

J enjoys the strong sense of teamwork at FloHawks and the relationships she has built with the people she works alongside each day. That collaborative spirit helps the team deliver the dependable service customers count on.

Outside the office, J loves spending time outdoors, especially at the beach, as well as making memories with her family. She’s the proud mother of two sons and a grandmother to four grandchildren.

Carl Evanson

Service Advisor

A Puyallup native who now lives in Spanaway, Carl Evanson has been helping customers at FloHawks for more than 13 years. As a Service Advisor, he brings deep experience and a practical approach to solving plumbing and septic challenges.

Carl takes pride in helping customers find real solutions to their problems. At FloHawks, the philosophy is simple: if water runs through it, the team can handle it, and Carl has spent more than a decade proving that to customers across the region.

When he’s not working, Carl enjoys camping and spending time with his growing family, which includes two grown sons and seven grandchildren.

Luke Schneider

Service Advisor Assistant

Originally from the Midwest and now living in the Puyallup area, Luke Schneider has spent the past three years supporting the FloHawks service team as a Service Advisor Assistant. His role focuses on logistics and administrative coordination, making sure the details are handled so the team can deliver excellent service in the field.

Luke especially enjoys the moment when everything comes together to solve a customer’s problem. Helping turn a complicated situation into a clear plan and a successful outcome is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

When he’s not working, Luke loves hosting and entertaining with his wife. Much of their free time is spent with family, often gathered around the table for board games and good conversation.

Crystal Lyons

Service Advisor Assistant

Born and raised in Tacoma and now living in Puyallup, Crystal Lyons has been part of the FloHawks team for four years. As a Service Advisor Assistant, she helps keep operations running smoothly while making sure customers feel supported every step of the way.

Crystal’s favorite part of the job is simple: helping people. Whether she’s assisting the service team behind the scenes or making sure customers get the answers they need, she takes pride in being part of a company that puts people first.

Outside of work, Crystal enjoys camping and spending time with her family. She’s married, and the proud mom of one daughter, and she also helps care for her niece, keeping family at the center of everything she does.