We all know about ‘Black Friday’ and the chaos the shopping deals bring after Thanksgiving. Sometimes, it happens right after the pumpkin pie: a trip to the local mall to get in on the deals. You’re at the ready to start spending and getting ready for the holiday gift-giving season. After all, you don’t want to miss out on the 80-inch TV screen that’s on clearance or the laptop that has all the bells and whistles for dirt cheap. But, wait, you may not realize, but, you could also be setting yourself up for  ‘Brown Friday.’ Say what?

According to a press release featured on PR Newswire from the plumbing folks, Roto-Rooter, the day after Thanksgiving is one of its busiest days of the year for plumbing and drain companies. Why? Apparently, large meal preparation and kitchen messes often overload the sink and disposal, creating extra work for plumbers who stay busy unclogging kitchen sinks, garbage disposals, toilets and sewers.

So, while retailers call it ‘Black Friday,’ Roto-Rooter plumbers (and possible other plumbing companies) call it ‘Brown Friday’ because of the volume of sewage and waste water they must contend with.

Roto-Rooter reports on ‘Brown Friday’ customer calls can increase by 50 percent over an average Friday; it sees a 21 percent increase in business over any other four-day weekend period during the year.

“Extra people inside a house mean more flushes, showers and washed dishes, increasing the chance something will go wrong with the plumbing” said Paul Abrams, spokesman for Roto-Rooter in the press release. “When the drains stop working, our phone starts ringing.”

But alas, their are ways to potentially avoid plumbing and drain trouble over Thanksgiving weekend. The company suggests following these tips:

  • Never pour fats or cooking oils down drains. They solidify in pipes and choke drains.
  • Don’t put potato peels, poultry skins, bones, rice or pasta down the garbage disposal. Disposals can handle scraps in small quantities but most food waste belongs in the trash can.
  • Make sure the disposal is running when you feed it food scraps.
  • Don’t flush wet wipes down toilets. They won’t dissolve and may cause clogs.
  • Place a plunger in guest bathrooms to save your guests the embarrassment of asking for one.
  • Spread out showers and laundry loads.

Don’t forget

While the list above may sound time consuming to follow, it could certainly save you time and much headache in the overall grand scheme of things. It may also save you a call to your local lumber to bail you out of a jam you created of your own making.

As you make your way to ‘Black Friday’ sales around your community, neighborhood and the like, be sure to practice one if not all of these important tips above to avoid a ‘Brown Friday!’