While most people look forward to the Black Friday shopping deals that come the day after Thanksgiving, plumbers have been preparing for what is described as the busiest day of the year for them.
Known as ‘Brown Friday” to plumbers, it is the busiest day for them due to an increased amount of calls regarding issues relating to clogged drains, toilets, and garbage disposals. Plumbers average a roughly 50% increase in calls on Friday while seeing an average of 21% more calls over the Thanksgiving weekend, according to Roto-Rooter.
One plumbing owner advised people to check their homes prior to the holidays to “make sure” there are no problems that should be fixed prior to having company.
“Look around your house, make sure there’s nothing that should be taken care of prior to that company coming,” Amanda Drum, the co-owner of Drum Plumbing and Backflow in Corpus Christi, Texas, told KIIITV News. “So, plan now for your Christmas company and see if there are any plumbing repairs that can be done in advance.”
Why plumbers call it ‘Brown Friday’ – and no, it’s not why you think https://t.co/Lem2wqwIQh
— KTLA (@KTLA) November 24, 2023
While meat fat and grease are some of the biggest culprits for clogged drains, icing, dairy products, and dressings can also contribute to the drain issues. The mixtures of liquids can cling to the pipes and lead to blockages once cooled down.
Other things like turkey skin, celery, fruits, and potato peels can lead to clogging issues.
“We really encourage everyone to get rid of fats, oils and greases in a trash can and do not use your toilet as a trashcan,” Rhonda Johnson, Richmond Department of Public Utilities spokeswoman, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The mixture of liquids can also lead to damage with sinks and dishwashers. Roughly half of the 400,000 sewer blockages that happen each year are estimated to occur because of grease down the drains, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Never let fats, oils & grease go down the drain.
— Richmond VA DPU (@RichmondDPU) November 13, 2023
🆒Instead, Let the FOG cool down, pour/scoop into a can and cover it with a grease lid
🥫Store the can in the freezer until full
🗑️Once full remove the lid for reuse & toss the can into the trash
Need a lid? Email dpuc@rva.gov pic.twitter.com/iQtkg2etbV
Several communities such as Richmond, Virginia; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Bakersfield, California, have grease collections or provide residents with grease lids to place over fats, oils, and grease that are placed in a container once cooled down.
“The messages are important throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season when more time will likely be spent cooking in the kitchen,” Dave Van Cleave, Rapid City’s water superintendent, told the Rapid City Journal.
Cities such as Portland, Oregon; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Raleigh, North Carolina; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Jacksonville, Florida, were considered the top five “most clogged up” cities with plumbing issues on Brown Friday, according to a Yelp blog post.
Sacramento, California, and Boston, Massachusetts, were among the cities in the top 10 most clogged up cities.
