'Brown Friday': Why plumbers warn about the day after Thanksgiving
- Ani
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
How does Brown Friday impact plumbing industry workload?
What caused the 65% surge in emergency plumbing searches?
BLACK FRIDAY
What are the best gifts for women?
It's not called "Brown Friday" for the reasons you might think. Interestingly, it’s not primarily about clogged toilets, which the name might imply.
"The day after Thanksgiving is typically one of the busiest days of the year for the plumbing industry, with kitchen drains and garbage disposals tending to be the biggest source of plumbing calls. However, other household activities can add to the problem," said Dario Compain, director for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast of Michael Bonsby HVAC, Plumbing, & Electrical (DC)/ Degree Heating & Cooling. "The increased use of laundry, showers, toilets, and dishwashers during the holidays, in addition to the added amount of activity in the kitchen, can lead to your system backing up more easily."
A typical Thanksgiving dinner, which produces grease, potato skins and turkey drippings, puts more strain on your kitchen sink than a usual meal, and can easily clog your sink.
What foods should not be put down the garbage disposal?
The combination of these foods and the added strain on your plumbing system because of house guests can lead to backups, clogs and other problems that need immediate attention.
What are America's 20 most clogged-up cities?
Searches on Yelp for “emergency plumber” during 2024's Brown Friday spiked 27% nationwide after last Thanksgiving, highlighting the holiday’s reputation as the busiest time of year for plumbers.
Salt Lakers were having some serious leaks, with searches for “leak repair” up a staggering 800%, potentially caused by colder temperatures and winter storms that have hit the area around Thanksgiving in previous years. Other significant search increases in Salt Lake City include “plumbers near me” (up 180%), “dishwasher repair” (up 71%), and “septic services” (up 60%).
What are some home preparation tips to avoid plumbing emergencies?
There are several ways to prepare your home to prevent plumbing problems during the busy holiday season.
What can go into garbage disposal?
When using a garbage disposal, always ensure that it is clear of utensils and other objects. Turn on cold water, never hot, for 20 to 30 seconds before grinding food waste. There are limits to what a standard garbage disposal can handle. Below is a list of foods you can safely grind in the garbage disposal:
Liquids and soft foods.
Chopped foods. If solid food needs to be disposed of, chop it into small pieces before placing it into the disposal.
Ice cubes. Ice cubes can help clean and sharpen disposal blades.
Do not grind:
Fats, oils and grease
Fibrous foods (celery, broccoli, potato peelings, lettuce, onion skins)
Uncooked pasta and rice
Coffee grounds
Bones
Eggshells
Fruit pits
What can I try before calling a plumber?
There are a few DIY fixes you can try before calling a plumber, but if these don’t seem to solve the backup, it’s probably best to call in the experts.
Just like it works to unclog your toilet, using a plunger can resolve backups in your kitchen sink.
Another way to loosen a clog in your sink is to use baking soda followed by vinegar, then covering the opening, letting it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, and washing it down with hot water.
If you suspect the problem is caused by a buildup of grease and oil, try pouring some dish soap down the drain, followed by a pot of boiling water.
