Game Day Plumbing: Host Like an Athens Pro (and Avoid a Flag on the Play)

If you’ve lived in Athens long enough, you know our town runs on great food, good company, and Saturdays between the hedges. When friends and family flood in for game day—or for any big gathering—your plumbing sees the same surge your favorite tailgate spot does. A little prep goes a long way toward keeping your kitchen, guest bath, and drains from getting backed up.

As a local, family-owned company, Plumber Pro Service & Drain has helped homeowners from Five Points and Normaltown to Watkinsville and Winterville sail through big-crowd weekends without a hitch. Here’s your insider’s guide—written by an Athens neighbor—to hosting confidently and knowing exactly when to call in the pros.

The Week-Before Checklist (15 Minutes That Save the Day)

1) Find your main water shutoff.
Every Athens home is a little different. Yours might be at the meter by the street, in a crawl space, or on an interior mechanical wall. Make sure one adult in the house can reach it quickly.

2) Open the cleanout cap (and make sure it’s accessible).
Homes in our older in-town neighborhoods often have a yard cleanout near the foundation or driveway. Clear mulch or ivy and verify the cap turns. If you have repeated slow drains, this access point can cut hours off an emergency visit.

3) Give the water heater a quick check.
If guests are staying over, dial your tank’s thermostat to 120°F (safe and hot enough) and scan for moisture around the base. If it’s more than 8–10 years old or you hear popping sounds, flag it for a service call.

4) Test “little” parts that cause big headaches.
Run each bathroom sink, flush each toilet, and watch for sluggish drains, gurgles, or water at the base of the toilet (often a wax ring). These are early warning signs—fixing them early prevents game-time chaos.

Kitchen Playbook: What Not to Put in the Disposal

Athens tailgates are legendary, but your disposal isn’t. Treat it right:

• Never: fats/oils/grease (solidify and trash), fibrous peels (celery, corn husks), big bones, coffee grounds, or large amounts of rice/pasta (they swell).

• Do: cold water before, during, and 15–20 seconds after use; small, soft scraps only.

• Keep a grease jar by the stove—when it fills, cap and trash.

If your sink backs up when the dishwasher runs, you’re likely dealing with a partial clog in the branch line or a tired air-gap. That’s a great time to call Plumber Pro Service & Drain for a professional clean-out or hydro-jetting to clear grease and soap deposits in one go.

Guest-Bath Blitz: Quick Wins for High Traffic

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  Place a wastebasket by each toilet. It’s the easiest way to prevent “flushable” wipes (which aren’t really flushable) from hitting your sewer line.

• Stock a flange plunger (the kind with the extension)—it seals modern toilet bowls better.

• Tighten loose handles & check fill valves. A noisy or slow-filling tank usually needs a $15 part and 15 minutes.

• Slow shower drain? Hair and soap scum are the usual suspects. If a basic hair catcher doesn’t help, we can snake it fast—no chemicals needed.

Septic-Savvy? Read This.

If you’re just over the county line in Oconee, Barrow, or Jackson and on septic, spread out showers and laundry so you’re not flooding the drainfield all at once. Be conservative with garbage disposal use and keep antibacterial products to a minimum; they can upset tank biology. If it’s been 3–5 years since your last pump—or you notice slow drains throughout the house—schedule service before your crowd arrives.

Athens Red Clay, Tree Roots, and Your Sewer

Our infamous red clay and mature shade trees (we love them!) can push clay or cast-iron sewer joints apart over time. Classic clues:

• Multiple fixtures slow or gurgle (especially lowest-level tubs/showers)

• Occasional sewage smell in the yard

• Floor drain “burps” when the washer drains

A camera inspection pinpoints whether you’ve got scale, offsets, or roots. From there, Plumber Pro Service & Drain can clear the line (snaking or hydro-jetting), then recommend long-term solutions like sectional repairs or trenchless options where appropriate.

After-Party Recovery: Reset Your System

• Run hot water and a little dish soap down each kitchen drain for 30–60 seconds.

• Clean faucet aerators if pressure dropped during the party.

• Peek at the water heater, visible supply lines, and under-sink traps for drips. Catching seepage now avoids damage later.

When to Call Plumber Pro Service & Drain (Don’t Wait)

Call 706-769-7761 if you notice any of the following:

• Backups in multiple fixtures (especially on the lowest floor)

• Toilet bubbling when nearby sinks or the washer drain

• Water at the base of a toilet or soft spots around it

• No hot water or a leaking water heater

• Persistent kitchen sink clogs despite careful disposal use

• Burst or leaking pipes, slab leaks, or ceiling stains

We’re local and responsive—on call 24/7 for Athens emergencies. Our licensed, insured team brings camera diagnostics, leak detection, hydro-jetting, and time-tested repair skills right to your driveway. We’ve earned hundreds of verified 5-star reviews because we treat every home like it’s our own, and we explain options clearly before we turn a wrench.

Why Athens Homeowners Choose Us

• Truly Local: From Five Points to Boulevard, Watkinsville to Winterville—we know the housing stock, soils, and seasonal stressors that affect plumbing here.

• Fast, Fair, Transparent: Free on-site estimates, upfront pricing, and friendly techs who explain cause, fix, and prevention.

• All-In-One Capability: Drain cleaning, leak detection, water heaters (including tankless), sewer repairs, backflow testing, and more.

• Real People, Real Accountability: Family-owned, Athens-proud, and reachable anytime. Your satisfaction is our guarantee.

• Recommended by Best Plumbers: Plumber Pro Service & Drain is the recommended plumber for the Athens region by Best Plumbers.

Ready Before Kickoff?

Whether you’re hosting a dozen Dawg fans or just want to stop that slow drain before it becomes a penalty, we’ve got you covered. Call Plumber Pro Service & Drain at 706-769-7761 for same-day service, or book online. With a little prep—and a reliable local team in your corner—you can enjoy your weekend and leave the plumbing worries to us.