The holidays are supposed to be filled with joy, laughter, and way too many cookies — not a backed-up toilet or a flooded kitchen floor.
But every year, like clockwork, plumbers everywhere get the same calls:
“Help! The sink won’t drain and the whole family’s coming over in an hour!”
“My guest bathroom is out of commission and Grandma’s already here!”
“We were just doing dishes and now there’s water everywhere!”
Yep — holiday plumbing disasters are real, and they don’t care that you’ve got 15 people coming over for dinner.
Here’s a look at the most common plumbing issues that creep up around the holidays — and more importantly, how you can avoid them.
1. The Garbage Disposal Meltdown
Between potato peels, turkey bones, grease, and the mystery casserole Aunt Susan brought, your garbage disposal sees it all this time of year. And frankly? It’s not built for that kind of pressure.
Avoid it: Don’t treat your disposal like a trash can. Keep grease, bones, fibrous veggies (like celery), and large scraps far away from it. When in doubt, toss it in the actual trash. And always run cold water while the disposal’s on to help it do its job.
2. Clogged Kitchen Sink
With all the cooking, baking, and cleaning, your sink gets quite the workout. A buildup of food scraps and grease can quickly turn into a full-on clog.
Avoid it: Use sink strainers to catch solids, scrape plates before rinsing, and avoid pouring anything oily down the drain — even if it’s just a little bit. Hot water may melt it temporarily, but it’ll re-solidify further down the line.
3. Bathroom Battles
More guests means more toilet flushes, longer showers, and way more strain on your plumbing system. And let’s be real — there’s always that one person who uses way too much toilet paper.
Avoid it: Make sure your guests know what not to flush (looking at you, “flushable” wipes). Keep a plunger nearby, and consider asking family to space out showers if possible — especially if you’ve got a smaller water heater.
4. Water Heater Woes
Speaking of water heaters… they get overwhelmed fast during the holidays. More showers + more dishes = a higher risk of running out of hot water or even overloading your system.
Avoid it: Lower the temp slightly to avoid overheating, and encourage shorter showers if you’ve got a full house. If your water heater is already struggling, now might be a good time for a quick tune-up.
5. Frozen Pipes (Depending on Where You Live)
If the temperature drops low enough and your pipes aren’t insulated, they can freeze — and even burst. That’s a plumbing disaster no one wants during the holidays.
Avoid it: Keep garage doors closed, let faucets drip on freezing nights, and insulate exposed pipes if you haven’t already. If you’re traveling, don’t turn your heat completely off — keep your home warm enough to prevent freezing.
Contact Griffin Plumbing for All Your Plumbing Needs in Santa Maria, CA and the Surrounding Areas
We know the holidays can be hectic — but taking a few small steps to prep your plumbing can save you from a major headache (and a plumbing bill that eats into your gift budget). And if disaster does strike? Don’t worry. We’re just a phone call away. Contact Griffin Plumbing today!
