What Is Brown Friday? Key Mistakes to Avoid

You’ve likely heard of Black Friday—the day after Thanksgiving, when holiday shoppers line up in the early morning hours in search of the best deals—but this day has another name and meaning to plumbers. Brown Friday, as it is known to plumbers, is considered the busiest day of the year for plumbing repairs, thanks to a variety of mishaps after the big feast the night before. If you don’t want to be another housecall on your local plumber’s list, follow these Thanksgiving plumbing tips to ensure your kitchen appliances stay in working order after you finish that last bite of pie.

Common Causes for Brown Friday

Some foods can cause bigger problems than others on Brown Friday (and all other days). Pay attention to your prep and clean-up when working with these dishes to prevent any plumbing mishaps.

Turkey

Hopefully, everyone in the home is aware that it’s a big no-no to put turkey skin and bones down the drain, as they can cause blockages. What might not be as obvious, though, is that grease from the bird can re-solidify into fats that coat your drain and lead to clogs. 

Potatoes

Mashed potatoes often require significant peeling, and some people make the mistake of peeling their potatoes over the sink. Doing this can clog the garbage disposal and lead to sink clogs—the carbohydrate-rich, starchy makeup of potato skins causes them to clump when ground up. 

Rice and Pasta

Similar to potatoes, rice and pasta's starchiness can gum up drain pipes. Over time, the foods can collect water and create a carby glue. 

How To Prevent a Brown Friday

Whether you like to spend the day after Thanksgiving shopping, sleeping in, or playing board games with family, it’s unlikely that you want to add a call to the plumber to the activity list. To prevent any plumbing issues on Brown Friday—or any other day for that matter—follow these tips.

1. Never pour fats, grease, or other oils down the drain. Instead, dispose of grease into a container (like an old coffee can), wait for it to solidify, then toss it into the trash.

2. Clean plates into the garbage before putting them in the sink to prevent food build-up.

3. Compost fruit and vegetable peels instead of letting them fall into the garbage disposal.

4. Wipe greasy pans before washing them to prevent any grease from getting into the drain.

5. Whenever you do run the disposal, make sure that the water is running to help the blades macerate the scraps.

It’s also important to remember that plumbing problems aren’t isolated to the kitchen. If you are having guests stay over for the holidays, you’ll want to keep your bathrooms in good working order as well. Remember to:

1. Avoid flushing non-dissolvable products into the toilet, such as feminine products and wipes.

2. Use a mesh strainer in your shower to catch hair and clean it regularly.

3. Make sure guests have access to a trash can in every bathroom so they don’t dispose of their waste in the toilet.

Ultimately, one of the best ways to prevent a plumbing emergency is to have your pipes inspected every year by a plumber near you. You should also address any issues with your plumbing or pipes as soon as they arise—plumbing issues can grow from small to large very quickly and can lead to water damage.