Top 10 Holiday Plumbing Emergencies & How to Prevent Them
The holidays are a time for celebration, family gatherings, and plenty of home-cooked meals. But all that extra activity in your home can put serious stress on your plumbing system — sometimes leading to inconvenient (and expensive) emergencies right in the middle of your holiday plans.
At Moonlight Plumbing, we see a noticeable spike in service calls between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. To help you stay prepared, here are the top 10 holiday plumbing emergencies we encounter most, and simple ways to prevent them.
1. Clogged Kitchen Sink
Between big meals, extra dishes, and constant prep work, holiday cooking sends more food scraps down the drain than your plumbing can handle.
Common culprits: grease, fats, oils, starchy foods (like mashed potatoes), and fibrous scraps.
How to prevent it:
- Scrape dishes into the trash before washing
- Never pour grease or oil down the drain
- Run hot water while using the disposal
2. Garbage Disposal Jams
Your garbage disposal works overtime during the holidays, but it’s not built for everything.
Do NOT put in the disposal: potato peels, celery, eggshells, bones, citrus rinds, pasta, or coffee grounds.
How to prevent it:
- Feed food slowly into the disposal
- Run cold water before and after use
- Keep certain foods out entirely
3. Backed-Up Toilets
Extra guests = extra toilet use. Add in people flushing wipes, tissues, and other non-flushables, and it’s a recipe for a backup.
How to prevent it:
- Place trash cans in guest bathrooms
- Politely remind guests to only flush toilet paper
- Keep a plunger nearby for quick fixes
4. Overflowing or Slow Drains
Showers, sinks, and tubs see heavier usage during holiday hosting, which can worsen existing buildup.
How to prevent it:
- Use drain screens
- Run hot water regularly
- Avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners, which can damage pipes
5. Water Heater Overload
Your water heater can only produce so much hot water at once, and holiday guests can push it past its limits.
How to prevent it:
- Space out showers
- Limit shower time
- Get a professional tune-up before hosting
6. Leaking or Burst Pipes
Cold temperatures combined with increased water usage put stress on older pipes, sometimes leading to dangerous bursts.
How to prevent it:
- Insulate exposed pipes
- Open cabinet doors to let warm air reach pipes
- Keep home temperature consistent, even at night
7. Sewer Line Backups
Holiday toilet use and extra water flow can expose underlying sewer line issues, especially in older homes or those with tree root intrusions.
How to prevent it:
- Watch for slow drains or gurgling sounds
- Avoid flushing anything but toilet paper
- Schedule a sewer line inspection if you suspect problems
8. Dishwasher Backups
Dishwashers work nonstop during holiday meals, but food debris and overloaded racks can strain the system.
How to prevent it:
- Pre-rinse dishes lightly
- Clean the dishwasher filter regularly
- Don’t overload the racks
9. Low Water Pressure
Multiple showers, laundry loads, dishwashing cycles, and sink usage can drop water pressure temporarily or reveal underlying issues.
How to prevent it:
- Descale showerheads
- Stagger water-heavy activities
- If pressure suddenly drops, call a professional
10. Frozen Outdoor Faucets (Hose Bibs)
A commonly overlooked issue during winter: outdoor faucets freezing and bursting.
How to prevent it:
- Disconnect hoses before the first freeze
- Install insulated faucet covers
- Shut off outdoor water lines if possible
Stay Holiday-Ready With Moonlight Plumbing
A little preparation goes a long way toward avoiding holiday plumbing stress, but even the most careful homeowner can run into an unexpected issue.
That’s why Moonlight Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency service, even during the busiest time of the year. Whether it’s a clogged drain, a broken water heater, or a burst pipe, we’re just a call away. If you need fast, trusted, around-the-clock plumbing help this holiday season, Moonlight Plumbing is here to keep your home running smoothly — day or night.
