The holidays should be busy in all the right ways—good food, family gatherings, and a warm, comfortable home. But when plumbing issues strike, celebrations can come to a standstill. Between big meals, extra showers, and dropping temperatures, your plumbing system works harder than ever. Taking time for plumbing prep now helps you avoid frozen pipes, clogged drains, and last-minute repair calls.

At Getzschman Heating, we help Omaha homeowners prepare their plumbing systems for cold weather and heavy holiday use. Here’s how to get your home ready before winter hits.

Why Plumbing Problems Spike During the Holidays

When the house fills up, so do the drains. Sinks run nonstop, showers back up, and dishwashers never get a break. Add freezing temperatures, and your plumbing has to work harder than it should.

A few common reasons things go wrong:

Extra demand: More people using water all day pushes your system to its limit.
Grease and food waste: Holiday cooking sends fats and scraps down the sink that solidify later.
Freezing pipes: When Omaha temperatures dip below freezing, exposed pipes can lock up fast.
Water heater overload: Back-to-back showers and laundry cycles wear it out.

A quick check before the season starts can prevent most of these issues and save you from a mid-holiday flood.

Common Holiday Plumbing Issues and How to Prevent Them

1. Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are the number one call we get during the holidays. Grease, coffee grounds, potato peels, and food scraps harden and stop up kitchen drains. Bathroom drains slow down too once extra guests move in.

Here is how to prevent clogged drains:

Let grease cool, then toss it in the trash.
Use a strainer in the sink to catch scraps.
Run cold water while using the disposal to keep things moving.
Remind guests not to flush wipes or paper towels.

If water starts backing up, skip the drain cleaner. Those chemicals can damage your pipes. Have a professional clear the line the right way before it becomes a bigger problem.

2. Frozen Pipes

Every Omaha homeowner dreads frozen pipes. They can split open and dump gallons of water before you even know it.

To protect your pipes:

Wrap or insulate pipes in unheated areas like basements or garages.
Keep cabinet doors open under sinks so warm air can circulate.
Let a small trickle of water run on bitter nights to keep things moving.
Seal any gaps where cold air seeps in.

If a pipe freezes, shut off the main water line and call us. We can thaw it safely and check for cracks before you turn the water back on.

3. Water Heater Strain

Hot water demand goes way up when family visits. Sediment in the tank or worn components make it worse.

Here is how to keep your water heater ready:

Drain a few gallons from the tank to flush out sediment.
Check that it is set to about 120 degrees.
Make sure there is space around it for airflow.
Schedule a maintenance check if it has been a while since the last one.

Regular care helps your water heater handle heavy use without running cold halfway through a shower.

4. Garbage Disposal Jams

Disposals are tough, but they are not built for everything that ends up in them during the holidays.

Avoid jams by:

Feeding scraps in slowly with cold water running.
Keeping stringy or starchy foods like celery, peels, and rice out of the disposal.
Running it for a few seconds after the food clears.

If it hums but will not spin, hit the reset button underneath. If it still does nothing, give us a call before forcing it.

Why a Pre-Holiday Plumbing Check Matters

A quick inspection before the holidays is one of the smartest moves you can make. It gives you peace of mind and keeps the season focused on what matters most.

When we do a pre-holiday plumbing inspection, we:

Look for small leaks under sinks and behind toilets
Check drain flow and water pressure
Inspect exposed pipes for signs of wear or weak insulation
Flush the water heater to boost performance
Test sump pumps and shutoff valves

Catching small problems early means you avoid major headaches later. We also share water-saving tips based on EPA guidelines that can help you cut costs year-round.

What to Do During a Plumbing Emergency

If something goes wrong, quick action can limit the damage.

Turn off the water. Know where your main shutoff valve is and use it right away.
Shut down the water heater. This prevents overheating if the system runs dry.
Move belongings away from the leak. Save what you can from water damage.
Call Getzschman Heating. Our plumbing team handles emergencies fast. We show up ready to fix the problem and make sure it does not happen again.

Why Omaha Homeowners Choose Getzschman Heating

We have helped Omaha, Papillion, and Bellevue families keep their homes running for generations. When you call us, you talk to real local plumbers who know what it is like to work through a Nebraska winter.

We do not rush through jobs or overcomplicate things. We look over your system, explain what is going on, and fix it right the first time. Our goal is simple: dependable plumbing and no surprises during the holidays or any other time of year.

Call Getzschman Heating to Schedule a Pre-Holiday Plumbing Inspection

The best time to get ready is before guests arrive and temperatures drop. A short visit from our team now can save you from an emergency later.

Call Getzschman Heating today to schedule your pre-holiday plumbing inspection and avoid seasonal emergencies. We are proud to help Omaha, Papillion, and Bellevue homeowners enjoy a worry-free holiday season.