The Brown Friday

The day after Thanksgiving can be a plumbing crisis

It’s Thanksgiving, and the holiday season is now a dead sprint. If you think you are busy cooking turkey, baking pies, and finding deals, you have no idea what plumbers are going through. The Friday after Thanksgiving, which has come to be known as “Brown Friday,” is their Super Bowl, and this is their busiest time of year.

What is ‘Brown Friday’?

As explained here, despite being the day following Turkey Day, “Brown Friday” actually refers to a whole week of increased activity for plumbers. Although the name seems to be a metaphor for clogged toilets, that is not the whole tale. A day of cooking, eating, and entertaining puts a lot of strain on your plumbing, resulting in clogged toilets, faulty disposals, and clogged sinks.

In 2023, searches for “emergency plumbing” increased by 65%, according to data provided by Yelp. Thanksgiving Day saw more searches for “24-hour plumbers” than any other day in November 2023.

The most common causes of plumbing problems on brown Friday

Fat and grease

Grease, oils, and fats of any kind should never be poured down the drain as this will cause serious blockages in your pipes. That is the fundamentals of plumbing. Grease solidifies and sticks when it comes into contact with a cold pipe. Grease accumulates over time, clogs the pipes, and becomes very challenging to get rid of. Unclogging the subsequent mess is a regular challenge that plumbers face the following day because some customers are unaware of this.

Potato peels

Thanksgiving is undoubtedly the time for mashed potatoes, but as you are preparing the family’s favorite side dish, resist the urge to throw the potato peels in the trash. You might think that a garbage disposal’s blades will tear everything into ribbons so that it can be securely flushed down the drain. However, the starchy skins tend to clump together in your pipes, which can lead to more blockages.

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Carrot peelings should not go into the garbage disposal, even if they are not as common as potatoes for Thanksgiving cooking. Additionally, pasta and rice can clog drains.

When you start cooking, keep in mind that there is a reason why potato peels are among the 15 items you should never dispose of in your garbage disposal.

Composting your food waste is an additional simple alternative. It is excellent for your flower beds or garden. Additionally, you can probably locate a composting service in your area that collaborates with other farmers if you do not have a garden or flowers.

Turkey

Turkey bones and skin do not mix well with garbage disposals or drains. They may result in obstructions.

Clogged toilets

Keep in mind that only toilet paper and the natural waste it was designed to handle should be flushed down the toilet. Additionally, do not presume that your guests are wise. There are ways to politely remind guests that items such as paper towels, toiletries, etc., should not be flushed.

How to prevent plumbing problems

The good news is that you can avoid having to run around looking for an emergency plumber on Thanksgiving by taking a few easy preventative measures.

Use the disposal correctly. They’re not made for bones, potato peels, cornhusks, carrots, onion skins, coffee grounds, pasta, etc.
Cold water. Make sure to run cold water while you feed stuff into it.
Dishwasher. If your garbage disposal is clogged, avoid using the dishwasher.
Grease and oils. Use a container instead of pouring them down the drain, and throw them in the trash once they have solidified.
Dishes and greasy pans. Wipe them off before putting them in the dishwasher or washing them by hand in the sink.
Mesh strainer. Get it for your showers, tubs, and bathroom sinks, especially if you’re hosting guests this year. That will help catch hair before it turns into a clog.
Flushing. Avoid flushing wipes, feminine products, and other non-dissolvable products down the toilet.
Plunger. Plunging a toilet is the easiest way to unclog it. If the clog is too stubborn for a plunger, you may need to snake the toilet or dial up a plumber to take care of the problem.