The holiday season brings joy, family gatherings, and festive cheer. However, unexpected home issues can quickly turn celebrations into nightmares. From plumbing emergencies to electrical mishaps, homeowners often face unique challenges during this busy time of year. In the video above, our This Old House home pros share their personal experiences with holiday home disasters and offer insights on how to handle—and avoid—these situations.
Common Holiday Home Disasters
With guests in town, the holidays often put extra strain on home systems, leading to potential breakdowns. Here are some of the most common issues homeowners face around the end of the year.
Plumbing Emergencies
Plumbing problems are among the most frequent and disruptive holiday home disasters. The increased use of your kitchen and bathroom during gatherings can lead to clogged sinks, backed-up garbage disposals, overflowing toilets, and frozen or burst pipes.
Be extra mindful of what and how much is going down your drains, and use proper disposal methods. If you’re expecting a large number of guests, consider having your plumbing systems inspected a few weeks before the holidays to see if anything is on the brink of breakdown.
Electrical Overloads
The holiday season often means increased appliance use and decorative lighting, which can strain your home’s electrical system. This can result in tripped circuit breakers, overheated outlets, and power outages. To avoid this, spread lighting across multiple circuits, inspect decorative lights for damage, and avoid overloading outlets.
Heating System Failures
When temperatures drop and guests arrive, a faulty heating system can quickly turn cheery to dreary. And the cold weather isn’t the only strain—extra decorations or furniture can accidentally block heating vents, leading to uneven heating and system stress. Homeowners commonly experience furnace breakdowns, thermostat malfunctions, uneven heating, and even carbon monoxide leaks.
Schedule a professional inspection before the holiday season. This ensures your system is operating efficiently and safely when your home is filled with family. We strongly recommend installing carbon monoxide detectors to keep your home safe from potential leaks.
Fire Hazards
Real Christmas trees dry out quickly, especially if placed near heat sources, becoming a big fire hazard. Using candles for ambiance can lead to accidental fires if left unattended or placed near flammable materials. Plus, with more cooking and baking, there’s a higher risk of kitchen fires, particularly if you’re making multiple dishes at once.
Preparing Your Home for Holiday Gatherings
Taking proactive steps to prepare your home for holiday gatherings can help prevent many of these common disasters. Below are some key areas to focus on.
Plumbing Readiness
- Check the garbage disposal: Ensure your garbage disposal is functioning well. Avoid putting grease or large quantities of food down the drain.
- Clean appliances: Wipe down your oven, stovetop, and refrigerator. Replace filters and clean vents. This will keep everything working properly and reduce fire hazards caused by spilled oil or crumbs.
- Clear drains: Before the holidays, use a drain cleaner or a natural solution (such as baking soda and vinegar) to clear any potential clogs in your kitchen and bathroom sinks.
- Insulate pipes: In colder climates, insulate any exposed pipes, particularly in basements, attics, or garages, to prevent freezing.
- Stay stocked: Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and plungers in the bathrooms.
- Vary usage: Encourage guests to use all your bathrooms so one toilet isn’t being used far more than others.
Electrical Preparation
- Avoid overloading circuits: Plug decorations into different circuits, and consider using surge protectors to prevent overloading. Avoid using extension cords as a permanent solution.
- Inspect holiday lights: Check all holiday lights for frayed wires, broken bulbs, or loose connections. Replace any damaged lights.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Ensure all detectors are functioning properly and replace batteries if needed.
Heating System Maintenance
- Change air filters: Replace the air filters in your HVAC system for good airflow and efficiency.
- Check vents: Make sure all vents are clear of obstructions such as furniture, rugs, or decorations.
- Schedule a furnace tune-up: Have your heating system professionally inspected and serviced to ensure it’s working efficiently.
Fire Prevention
- Be cautious in the kitchen: Watch food while cooking, especially if you’re multitasking. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it. Make sure it hasn’t expired.
- Use safe candles: Opt for flameless LED candles to reduce the risk of fire. If using traditional candles, keep them away from flammable materials, kids, and pets, and never leave them unattended.
- Water your Christmas tree: If you have a real tree, keep it well-watered to prevent it from drying out. Place it away from heat sources such as radiators or fireplaces.
Handling Holiday Home Emergencies
Despite your best efforts, emergencies can still happen. Knowing how to handle these situations quickly can minimize stress and damage.
Emergency Contact List
Prepare a list of emergency contacts and keep it easily accessible. This list should include numbers for the following:
- Electrician
- Fire department
- HVAC technician
- Local plumber
- Nearest hospital
- Police department
Having an emergency contact list ensures you or your guests can quickly reach out for professional help when needed. Store this list in an easy-to-find location for all family members.
Quick-Fix Solutions
While waiting for professional help, there are some temporary solutions you can implement.
- Have flashlights and batteries on hand for power outages.
- Keep a fire extinguisher easily accessible in the kitchen.
- Know the location of your main water shut-off valve in case of major leaks.
Being prepared with quick-fix solutions can mitigate damage while waiting for professional assistance. Familiarize yourself and your family with these solutions to manage emergencies efficiently.
Professional Help
For major issues, know when to call in the professionals. Don’t hesitate to contact experts if you’re facing the following:
- Any situation that poses a safety risk to you or your guests
- Electrical issues that can’t be resolved by resetting breakers
- Heating system failures
- Persistent plumbing backups