
The arrival of the holidays marks the transition into a season of travel, cozy visits, and delicious foods–but it also indicates the need to ensure your plumbing is well taken care of so that your friends or family can enjoy a wonderful stay. We’ve compiled a list of holiday plumbing tips to keep your festivities on track for success so you can relax with one less worry on your plate in creating a smooth and enjoyable holiday experience for your guests. Ensure there are no kinks in your line this holiday season with an experienced team on your side, like those at Certified Plumbing. We are here to answer your emergency plumbing questions and will work odd hours to get your pipes back in working order!
Common Holiday Plumbing Problems
Holiday plumbing problems–from a cold shower to a leaky faucet–can occur at any time and wreak havoc on your holiday cheer. When in doubt, it’s best to prepare for any potential disasters in advance. Here are some of the most common holiday plumbing problems to consider and prepare for before your guests touch down at the airport.
Hot Water Heater Breaker Tripping
Does your hot water heater tend to get overwhelmed and trip the breaker? This could be a problem with your thermometers or with the hot water heater cartridges themselves. Nobody enjoys a cold shower when it’s equally cold outside–so prep for this by having your hot water heater serviced well before guests arrive.
Clogged Toilet
Unfortunately, clogged toilets happen. Whether it’s an old toilet, plumbing issues, or non-flushable materials being forced down the drain, a clogged toilet marks an embarrassing stop in the merriment. This can be uncomfortable for you and your guests as you are forced to problem-solve a stopped toilet in the middle of your celebrations–so sidestep the hassle and call in an experienced professional plumber!
Clogged Drain
Particularly during the peak season of home cooking, a clogged kitchen sink can really set things back for the cook. Be sure that you’re only putting appropriate materials down the sink and avoiding FOG components (Fats, Oils, and Grease). If you find yourself with a clogged drain in the midst of your holiday, look to a 24/7 emergency plumber “near me” like Certified Plumbing. We’ll get your sink flowing right again so you can get back to celebrating!
Burst Pipes
Even in Florida, temperatures can drop around freezing during the winter from time to time. However, it’s best to encourage your guests to leave their water running at home to prevent their pipes from freezing solid and bursting–especially if they are visiting from a colder climate. Burst pipes can be an expensive and time-consuming thing to fix, with potentially devastating consequences and thousands of dollars lost in damages.
Garbage Disposal Issues
Whether you’ve accidentally dropped a fork down the disposal or find that it’s gummed up with animal fats such as turkey drippings or bacon grease, there are all sorts of problems that can occur with your garbage disposal during the holidays. Take care to fire up the disposal with the water running, and only throw approved items down the disposal in the first place. When in doubt, reference the manufacturer’s instructions.
Top 7 Holiday Plumbing Tips

Now that you know some common holiday plumbing problems to avoid, let’s tackle ways to prepare for the incoming holiday and the consequent slurry of guests. These holiday plumbing tips will leave you feeling confident and prepared for hosting, knowing you’ve got one less worry on your plate.
1. Service Water Heater
Is there anything worse than being forced to finish up a shower that’s suddenly gone ice cold? You wouldn’t want to subject your guests to this experience–let alone go through it yourself! Skip the hassle of a jarring shower and have your hot water heater serviced by a professional before your guests arrive. Enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that you will get to unwind during a blissful shower during the family visit (and truly enjoy your 20 minutes of personal care time away from the chaos).
2. Clean and Service Garbage Disposal
Let’s face it–your garbage disposal works extra hard over the holidays or when you host other folks. Brief your guests about what kinds of materials can go down the garbage disposal and clean it well before your guests arrive to ensure it is in optimal working order. (Got questions on garbage disposal maintenance tips? Check out our recent article on the topic here!)
3. Make Sure Your Bathrooms Are Appropriately Stocked
To avoid toilet clogs, be sure you have at least these three fundamentals covered in your guests’ bathroom: access to toilet paper, a plunger, and absolutely NO so-called flushable wipes. “Flushable wipes” are not, in fact, as flushable as they market themselves to be. (For more information on the dangers of flushing wet wipes down the toilet, see our blog post on the matter.)
4. Fix Leaks
Do you have any pestering leaks that you’ve been meaning to fix–whether a slow trickle from your showerhead or a continuous stream from your sink faucet? Now is the time to get these leaks addressed–that is to say, before your guests arrive. There is no need to endure the commentary from family members wondering why your faucet is dripping if you plan ahead and call in the pros at Certified Plumbing. We’ll get leaks tackled promptly and accurately, providing you with the assurance that all your plumbing concerns are null and void.
5. Add Insulation
Florida is not known for freezing temperatures–but these things can happen! Be sure to add additional insulation around your pipes and plumbing moving into winter, and advise your family members to do the same before they visit. If you don’t have time to install insulation yourself, Certified Plumbing can help. We’ll get the job done right the first time, so you can go back to arguing politics with Uncle Tony!
6. Know Where Your Main Water Valve Lives
In the worst-case scenario of a toilet backing up and overflowing or a busted pipe, you’ll need to know where the primary water valve for your house is. This will ensure that you can put a pause on any mayhem in time for the professionals to arrive, and it may even save you money and heartache while buying you precious time. If you’re unsure where your main water valve is, call an expert to map your house. Certified Plumbing will be able to point you in the right direction!
Have Plumbing Inspected/Maintained
Even if you don’t suspect an imminent issue, it’s always good practice to have your plumbing serviced before hosting guests. This offers peace of mind, knowing that everything is in tip-top shape, providing the host with more bandwidth to worry about the fun stuff, like how many sides to serve with the main course or whether you want schnapps or whipped cream in your hot cocoa!
Holiday Plumbing Services with Certified Plumbing of Brevard

There’s no telling what flaws in your home your contractor father-in-law might find when he comes to visit–but if there’s one thing you can scratch off your list of worries, it’s holiday plumbing problems. By servicing your pipes in advance before guests arrive and taking small measures to account for any potential mishaps, you can ensure a smooth and delightful experience for your guests, boost your own confidence for hosting, and relax, focusing on what the holidays really should be about. Certified Plumbing offers unbeatable holiday plumbing services in Brevard County, helping Florida homeowners prepare their property for friends, family, and even the nit-pickiest of guests.
Interested in a free quote? Get your questions answered today and set the wheels in motion for a fantastic holiday!