Don't Let 'Holiday Havoc' Clog Your Thanksgiving: Plumbing Tips for a Stress-Free Feast
New data reveals that nearly a third of homeowners experience a plumbing issue after a holiday gathering, leading to high stress
While most people are busy planning for food, family and fun over the Thanksgiving holiday, they’re probably not planning for plumbing issues. But for many homeowners, this is a big mistake. Your home's plumbing system works overtime during a big holiday gathering, and unfortunately, it often struggles under the pressure. New data from Angi reveals just how common holiday plumbing disasters really are.
The True Cost of Holiday Havoc
It turns out holiday plumbing issues are a widespread problem, with 28% of homeowners having experienced a plumbing issue immediately following a holiday gathering.
What’s more is that when these plumbing issues pop up, they’re more than just a hassle; they’re a major source of stress for homeowners:
85% of homeowners find an unexpected plumbing repair bill to be the most stressful thing that could happen on Thanksgiving.
That stress factor actually outweighs arguing guests (70%) and even running out of food (73%).
This stress is compounded by the financial sting. Homeowners who have made common holiday mistakes have spent an average of $722 on repairs.
The Clogs You Can Control
Many of these costly, stressful repairs are caused by simple, preventable mistakes made right in the kitchen.
The Gravy Mistake: Shockingly, 1 in 5 homeowners admit they would pour gravy down the sink. When fats, oils, and grease (FOG) cool down, they solidify inside your pipes, creating stubborn, massive clogs.
The Garbage Disposal Gamble: 9% of homeowners put turkey bones down the disposal or the sink. Your disposal is not designed to handle hard, fibrous materials like bones, potato peels, or celery. Putting them down can damage the disposal and clog your drain line.
Thanksgiving's Toll: What the Pros See
Your local plumbing professionals are all too familiar with the Thanksgiving rush. A majority of plumbers (64%) have worked on a plumbing project during the week of Thanksgiving.
While the mistakes above are common culprits, the pros note that high holiday usage often pushes an already-strained system to its limit. The most common reasons they get called out are:
Old pipes/system issues (49%).
Non-flushable items in the plumbing (41%).
Existing problems made worse by high usage (37%).
The Simple Fix: Be Proactive, Not Reactive
The good news is that holiday plumbing disasters are largely avoidable. An overwhelming 90% of plumbing professionals recommend that homeowners get a pre-holiday plumbing check to avoid these common issues. This aligns with how homeowners feel, with 63% of homeowners who have had a holiday plumbing issue wishing they had paid for a pre-holiday preventative check.
3 Quick Fixes to Avoid Thanksgiving Clogs
Stop the Grease: Never pour fats, oils, or grease (like gravy or bacon fat) down the drain. Pour them into an old jar or can, let them solidify, and toss them in the trash.
Treat Your Disposal Right: Keep food scraps out of the garbage disposal entirely, scrape plates directly into the trash or compost bin. If you must use it, only use it for very small, soft scraps and always run cold water before, during, and after use.
Check Your Toilets: Make sure guests only flush toilet paper. Put a clearly marked trash can next to the toilet for things like disposable wipes, cotton swabs, and dental floss.
Are you taking steps to prevent a holiday plumbing disaster this year, or have you already booked your pre-holiday check? Angi is here to help.