Septic system tips for Thanksgiving, family gatherings & late‐year guests
The holidays are a time for big meals, full houses, and lasting memories. But for homeowners with septic systems, more guests and more water use can spell trouble if your system isn’t ready. Before you welcome loved ones through the door, take a few minutes to prep your septic system so you can focus on the celebration—not the backup.
Here’s how you can protect your septic tank, drain field and plumbing this hosting season.
Why Hosting Means Extra Stress for Your Septic System
When your home fills up with guests, your wastewater system sees more action than usual. More showers. More laundry. More dishwashing. All that extra load adds up—and when water flows too fast or too much into a septic system, solids don’t settle properly, the drain field gets saturated, and the risk of slow drains, foul odors or even full backups rises.
Host Smart: Top Pre‐Holiday Septic Tips
- Schedule a Pump or Inspection Ahead of Time: If your septic tank hasn’t been pumped in the last 3-5 years (or if you’re unsure), now’s the time to get professional maintenance. A fresh pump-out gives your system more capacity to handle extra usage.
- Space Out Water Activities: Avoid doing all the laundry, dishwashing and guest showers in a short time window. Stagger shower times, run full dishwashers, and spread out laundry loads so the tank gets time to process.
- Mind What Goes Down the Pipes: Your septic system isn’t a trash can. Remind guests (and yourself) to only flush human waste and toilet paper. Many common items—“flushable” wipes, paper towels, greasy dishes, food scraps—can cause expensive problems.
- Protect the Drain Field: Keep your driveway, parking area and yard clear during your events. Heavy vehicles or equipment over the drain field can compact soil, hinder absorption and damage your system.
- Set Guest Expectations Early: A friendly note to guests helps: “Please avoid flushing wipes or running the disposal with grease.” Putting a small sign in restrooms or providing a trash bin helps prevent mishaps during gatherings.
Call the Local Experts
At FJ Rabon Construction, we’ve been serving homeowners across Kershaw, Richland and Fairfield Counties since 1974. We’re family‐owned, and when you call, you’ll talk to a real person—24/7—for pump-outs, inspections, new installations or emergency repairs.
If you’re hosting this season and want peace of mind, give us a call at (803) 438-1075 and let us help you prepare your septic system for the busy months ahead.