While hordes of shoppers flock to stores everywhere in search of the best sales this Black Friday, hordes of plumbers will be dispatched across the country to deal with the ugly consequences of those terrible Thanksgiving feasts: clogged disposals, pipes and toilets.
you are welcome brown friday (yes, it’s named after the color of sewage), the busiest day of the year for plumbers.
“With everyone having guests and family in town, the demand for plumbing systems is high,” says Beau Means, operations manager of Benjamin Franklin Plumbers in Wichita, KS. “It may be overloaded.”
It’s no surprise that the day after Thanksgiving is twice as busy as any other day of the year — even more so than Hanukkah and Christmas, Means says.
We’re explaining where your two biggest plumbing issues may be emerging — and how to avoid the dreaded Brown Friday, so you only have to deal with leftover food on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
in the kitchen
First, be sure to take these steps when preparing for the holiday feast And Cleaning to keep drains and disposals clean.
“Food preparation leads to clogged kitchen sinks and disposals,” says Paul Abrams, spokesman for Roto-Rooter, a plumbing and drain company that operates more than 600 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
What do you see as the biggest problem facing the company? Kitchen sinks and disposals filled with turkey bones, vegetable peels and everything else used to make that delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
“Avoid putting Thanksgiving clog-culprits like corn cobs, bones, potato peelings and onion peels down the drain,” says Mike Mushinsky, president of Waco, Texas-based BlueFrog Plumbing + Drain. “Instead, try composting them or putting them in the trash.”
Dense or fibrous foods can wrap around the blades and damage the motor. Here’s what else you shouldn’t do—and what you should do.
No: Never pour grease, oil or fat down the drain, as they can solidify and block it.
“When hot grease hits a cold pipe, it hardens and sticks to the pipe,” says Mushinsky. “It sets up and becomes incredibly difficult to remove.”
(And no, flushing fats down the drain with hot water won’t help them dissolve.) Place fatty oils and greases in containers, and throw them away with the trash.
to do: Throw leftover food from plates, pots and pans in the dustbin instead of throwing them in the kitchen. It is important to maintain All Take out the trash from kitchen disposals on heavy use days so they don’t clog. If you have to use the disposal for certain things, be sure to run the faucet at the same time.
Also, wipe off any excess grease with a paper towel before washing pots and pans by hand or putting them in the dishwasher.
in the bathroom
Problems in the kitchen go hand in hand with blocked sewer lines, which drain away all household waste water. And when sewer lines become clogged, the toilet will not flush. (Thanks to Uncle Pete, who ate the last baked beans, for that last one.)
“When your house is full of guests, they flush toilets more often,” says Abrams. “They’re also taking more baths, and that can lead to an extra load of laundry.”
All the waste water struggling to move down the sewer pipes at once can put pressure on the system and cause backups. Here’s how to avoid every homeowner’s worst nightmare.
No: Never allow guests to flush feminine products, wet wipes, dental floss or cotton balls down the toilet. Anything that doesn’t drain can clog the toilet and cause it to overflow. If you feel uncomfortable saying this to guests, write it down by placing a small sign neatly taped to the wall of each bathroom.
to do: Make sure there is a dustbin in each of your bathrooms. Additionally, guests should space out their showers by about 10 to 15 minutes so the drains have a chance to do their work, Abrams advises.
“And place a shower strainer over your drain to collect hair,” says Mushinsky.
Finally, install toilet plungers in all guest bathrooms.
“Nobody wants to be the subject of embarrassment if someone clogs your toilet,” says Abrams.
What to do if your Friday turns brown?
If these tips fail and something goes wrong, people should not hesitate to call a plumber. Many people don’t charge extra during the holiday – although it may take them a little longer to reach their destinations, away from their own Thanksgiving festivities.
“Calling and asking can’t hurt,” says Abrams.
If you’re stuck with an urgent problem and are waiting for the professionals to arrive, Mushinsky advises you to immediately stop whatever efforts you’ve tried to fix the issue to prevent further damage.
“And if the problem is causing water to actively splash or leak, locate the home’s main water valve and turn off the water,” says Mushinsky.
