Holiday Hosting Is Tough—On Your Plumbing, Too! Here’s What to Watch For

The holidays are all about joy, togetherness, and… surprise plumbing problems?

If your house was full of family, friends, food, and fun, chances are your plumbing worked overtime—and now it might be feeling the strain. At Lorenz Plumbing, we see it every year: after the big gatherings, our phones ring with everything from clogged drains to no hot water.

Don’t worry—we’re here to help you spot the signs early, handle the little stuff on your own, and know when it’s time to call in the pros.

1. Slow Drains After Heavy Kitchen Use

What to look for:
If your kitchen sink is draining slower than usual or starting to gurgle, grease and food scraps may be building up in the pipes.

DIY Tip:
Avoid chemical drain cleaners (they can damage your pipes). Instead, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain, followed by a mix of baking soda and vinegar. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then flush with more hot water.

Call Lorenz Plumbing if:
The drain is still slow or backing up into other sinks. This could mean a clog deeper in the system that needs professional clearing.

2. Toilet Trouble After Guests Galore

What to look for:
Running toilets, weak flushes, or backups often happen after extra usage during the holidays.

DIY Tip:
Check inside the tank. A twisted chain, loose flapper, or misaligned float are easy fixes. You can find inexpensive replacement parts at your local hardware store.

Call Lorenz Plumbing if:
The toilet keeps running, won’t flush properly, or overflows. You could be dealing with a more serious clog—or worse, a sewer line issue. Best to let the pros handle it.

3. Hot Water Running Cold Too Fast

What to look for:
With more showers and dishes being done, your water heater might not keep up. If you’re running out of hot water faster than normal, that’s a red flag.

DIY Tip:
Check your water heater’s thermostat—120°F is a safe and effective setting. Also, flush the tank if you haven’t in a while; sediment buildup can reduce efficiency.

Call Lorenz Plumbing if:
You still can’t get enough hot water, or you hear strange sounds coming from the tank. That could mean it’s time for maintenance—or a replacement.

4. Garbage Disposal Burnout

What to look for:
Holiday meals often lead to disposal overload. If yours is humming but not spinning, or won’t turn on at all, it’s likely jammed or overheated.

DIY Tip:
Turn off the power, then use a hex key (usually located under the unit) to manually turn the blades and clear the jam. Press the reset button on the bottom of the disposal to restart.

Call Lorenz Plumbing if:
It still won’t work, smells burnt, or trips the breaker. We’ll make sure your disposal is back in working order without any surprises.

When in Doubt, Call Us Out

We know holiday plumbing problems aren’t exactly festive—but they’re fixable. If you’re dealing with any post-party plumbing stress, Lorenz Plumbing is just a call away. We’ll show up with solutions, not surprises, and help your home get back to normal in no time.

Whether it’s a quick fix or a bigger job, we’ve got your back. Hosting is hard enough—let us take care of the pipes.

Need help now? Contact Lorenz Plumbing for fast, friendly service from the team you can trust.