Seven Plumbing Emergencies That Could Impact Your Christmas - And How They Can Be Prevented

As families across the UK gather for their annual Christmas celebrations, many households can unknowingly put extreme pressure on their plumbing and heating systems. With plumbers often only working on an emergency only basis from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, a minor issue can quickly escalate into a costly problem at the worst possible time.

Online bathroom, kitchen and heating retailer Plumbworld (https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/) has analysed the most common seasonal plumbing issues that arise during the Christmas period and is urging homeowners to take simple preventative steps before guests arrive. From blocked sinks to frozen pipes, these are seven festive emergencies that are most likely to disrupt the Christmas festivities in UK households:

1. Blocked Kitchen Sinks and Drains

In the month leading up to Christmas in 2024, Google searches for blocked sinks rose by 26% throughout the UK. With Christmas festivities often in full swing throughout December, kitchen sinks and drains come under heavy strain. A surge in fats and oils, plus foods such as thick sauces washed down the sink can cause pipes to quickly clog and solidify, particularly during the cold weather.

To prevent sinks and drain blockages (https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/kitchen-sinks-78-0000), it's important to avoid pouring fats down the sink and ensure that waste food is scraped into the bin before you begin washing up.

If you have noticed that your sink isn't draining water properly or is draining slowly, a simple plunger or a drain unblocking solution widely available in supermarkets can help get things flowing. If the problem still persists and water continues to back up into the sink, there could be a bigger problem lurking within the pipework and may require an emergency plumber before the problem worsens.

2. Toilet Blockages From Increased Usage

Having guests is naturally going to significantly increase toilet use over the festive period, which could increase the chances of a blockage (https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/toilets-146-0000). In December 2024, there were over 23,500 searches for information on 'how to unblock a toilet', a 51% increase in searches over the same period in 2023. Having more guests around your home over the festivities will naturally see an increase in toilet usage, meaning a greater chance of a blockage. Factors such as toilet paper, sanitary towels and wet wipes being flushed are often the biggest culprits.

Toilet blockages in households are incredibly common during Christmas because of the spike in usage. Homeowners can prevent problems by making sure only toilet paper is flushed and keeping a small bin beside the toilet for wipes or sanitary items. Minor blockages can usually be cleared with a plunger, but repeated flushing or overflowing water are common signs that the main pipe is blocked and that's when a professional should be called.

3. Frozen Pipes During Cold Weather

Frozen pipes can cause issues around the festive period, particularly when the UK experiences very cold weather. Many households are left empty throughout the day whilst owners enjoy the Christmas festivities elsewhere, increasing the chances of pipes freezing during low temperatures. Outdoor taps, pipes in garages, lofts and utility rooms are also high-risk spots for freezing and bursting too.

A frozen pipe stops the water flow in the house and can cause them to burst once they finally thaw. Therefore it's worth insulating exposed pipes with cost effective sleeves to reduce the risk of them freezing when not in use. Homeowners could also keep their heating on low if they know they'll be out all day and ensure that any cold spaces aren't left unheated, which can dramatically reduce the risk of freezing.

If you think a pipe has frozen, turn off the water and gently warm it with a hairdryer or use a hot water bottle close to the affected area, which can help to gently thaw the pipe. Never use a naked flame to unfreeze a pipe as this can cause damage or fire.If the pipe has burst or is leaking, an emergency plumber is essential to fix the issue.

4. Emergency Boiler Breakdowns

Boilers work harder over Christmas, often running continuously due to guests needing hot water for showers, cooking and heating. Factors such as low pressure, failing components and frozen pipes due to the seasonally cold weather can quickly stop the heating system and cause the boiler to fail at the worst possible time. It doesn't come as a shock to see searches for 'emergency boiler repair' rose 55% in December 2024 compared to the previous month of November.

Boiler breakdowns spike at Christmas because systems are under maximum pressure. Check boiler pressure before guests arrive, ensure your condensate pipe is insulated, and listen for unusual noises. Repressurising a boiler is usually a simple DIY task, but if your heating stops completely, avoid trying to dismantle anything or fixing it yourself. An emergency Gas Safe engineer will be required to find the root cause of the issue and find a solution to get your boiler back up and running.

5. Households Experiencing Low Water Pressure

If you've got a full house of guests and family over the Christmas period, simultaneous showers, using the dishwasher, washing machine and taps can have an impact on water pressure, particularly in older or multi-storey buildings.

Low water pressure over Christmas is usually caused by several appliances running at once. Staggering showers (https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/showers-2-0000), avoiding multiple water-heavy appliances at the same time, and checking for partially closed stop taps can help. But consistently low pressure may indicate a deeper issue with your home's internal plumbing system or the mains supply itself, both of which would need an expert to assess to come up with a solution and a fix. If you think it's an issue with your mains, contact your water supplier who will be able to identify an issue in your local area.

6. Leaking Kitchen Appliances

Dishwashers and washing machines are likely to be working overtime in many households over Christmas, increasing the chances of springing a leak, blocked filters and disturbed pipe connections.

Leaks from kitchen appliances can appear suddenly when machines are overloaded or filters are clogged. Over time, food waste, grease or mineral build up can cause drainage issues with dishwashers. With a washing machine, the biggest reason why it might not be draining properly is a clogged filter, blocked with lint, hair, fluff and tissue paper from clothing.

If you know your appliances will be working more frequently during Christmas, homeowners should empty the filters and inspect any hoses beforehand to ensure there's no underlying issues. Avoid running heavy loads in both the dishwasher and washing machines in quick succession, as this can cause strain on appliances that may be having issues. If your machine is leaking from underneath or you notice that water keeps pooling, this may indicate a damaged seal and would need a qualified engineer to inspect it. If you're unsure what the issue is, always consult a professional rather than attempting to fix it yourself to avoid further damage.

7. Inefficient Or Leaky Radiators

Radiators and central heading obviously work harder during the winter time, particularly during mid-winter when the UK often experiences its coldest weather. Constant use means that issues can arise with radiators and how efficient they heat the home. Issues such as trapped air, sludge buildup, or stuck valves become more noticeable during Christmas gatherings, particularly if they're not heating up rooms effectively.

Google search figures suggest the most common time homeowners look for information on 'how to bleed a radiator' is in November (63,600 searches in Nov 2024), just before the Christmas rush. Radiator bleeding helps to remove any trapped air in the system and can be done easily without needing a professional to assist.

If you notice any of your radiators that stay cold at the bottom, you may have sludge buildup, which will require a professional to conduct power flushing the system to remove it. Homeowners should also ensure thermostatic radiator valves move freely. If a valve is stuck or has a noticeable leak, a heating engineer is best placed to fix it.

Plumbworld
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Press Contact - Max Hammond max.hammond@onlinehomeretail.co.uk

Established in 1999 by Founder James Hickman, Plumbworld is a leading online retailer of bathrooms, kitchens and heating products, offering quality brands at competitive prices. With a UK-based customer service team and a Trustpilot rating of 4.8 out of 5 from over 71,000 reviews, Plumbworld is trusted by customers nationwide for its reliability, expert support and fast delivery options.

From showers and baths to sinks, taps and radiators, Plumbworld provides everything needed to transform homes, backed by free standard delivery and next-day or Saturday delivery options for added convenience.

This release was published on openPR.