Thanksgiving is right around the corner! While most people thoroughly enjoy the festivities associated with the holiday, your drainage system may not feel quite the same way. As odd as it sounds, plumbers often refer to the day after Thanksgiving as “Brown Friday” due to the significant number of service calls they receive. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help prevent drain and sewer disasters this Thanksgiving. How? Let’s break it down.

The Two Most Common Post-Thanksgiving Plumbing Problems – Broken Garbage Disposals and Clogged Sewer Lines

Before we get into preventing plumbing problems, let’s talk briefly about the two most common Thanksgiving-related plumbing problems.

Broken or Clogged Garbage Disposal
Since Thanksgiving is almost entirely focused on food, garbage disposal clogs and malfunctions are frequent.

Clogged or Backed-Up Sewer Lines
Like garbage disposals, sewer lines see an uptick in use before, during, and after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, when used more, sewer lines are far more likely to clog. The unfortunate truth is that Thanksgiving gives your sewer line quite a workout. Remember, every drain in your house is attached to the main sewer line. So, even if your guests refrain from overusing the toilet, you can still wind up with a nasty sewer clog.

How To Prevent Broken and Clogged Garbage Disposals

Unless you have an industrial-strength garbage disposal, a clog is all but guaranteed the day after your holiday feast. However, you can prevent an issue by refraining from putting the following items in or around your garbage disposal:

Eggshells
Potato and vegetable peels
Tough and fibrous vegetables (like celery)
Coffee grounds
Fat, grease, and oil
Gravy
Fruit pies (yes, that includes pumpkin pie)

How To Prevent Clogged and Backed-Up Sewer Lines this Thanksgiving

The second most common problem associated with the day after Thanksgiving is clogged or backed-up sewer lines. Finally, for some unexplainable reason, party guests use toilets like garbage disposals.

So, to prevent backed-up sewer lines this year, try to avoid putting anything other than human waste down the toilet. Also, ensure you let your guests know they shouldn’t put anything down the toilet other than their waste and toilet tissue. Some things to ask your guests to refrain from putting down in the bathroom include food, drinks, sanitary napkins, feminine hygiene products, bones, paper towels, napkins, and anything else that isn’t human waste or toilet tissue.

Still Wind Up With a Post-Thanksgiving Plumbing Disaster?

Even if you still wind up with a post-Thanksgiving plumbing disaster, don’t fret. The team of professional plumbers here at Streamline Plumbing & Underground Sewer Construction is always standing by to give you a helping hand with all your “Brown Friday” plumbing problems. So contact us for more ways to prevent drain and sewer disasters this Thanksgiving or at the first sign of trouble!

We offer trenchless sewer services in the following locations:

Check out the drain and roooter services, as well as the plumbing services offered by our friends over at Deer Valley Plumbing below!