Everyone looks forward to Black Friday shopping deals. But plumbers have an entirely different experience on the Friday after Thanksgiving!
Our experienced D and F Plumbing team knows better than to make big shopping plans on “Brown Friday” because we’re sure to be busy. Today, we will talk about common plumbing emergencies that happen on this notorious day. Enjoy!
Big Family Gatherings Put Extra Pressure on Your Plumbing
All year long, your Grandma’s plumbing has the “duty” of disposing of gray water, waste and solids for one or two people. (See what we did there?) Slightly clogged drains and plumbing don’t act up, and no one suspects a problem. Maybe Grandma only runs the dishwasher a few times a week, and she has a small appetite.
Everything seems fine! The toilet flushes and the sinks and showers drain normally. All is well at Grandma’s house.
Then, after a magical day of cooking for 20 family members, feasting, cleaning and overindulgence, the added strain is suddenly too much. Toilets back up, sinks get clogged, and Grandma doesn’t know what to do.
Grandma needs to call a plumber.
Grandma, You’re Not Alone
The day after Turkey Day is almost always our busiest day of the year. We don’t make plans to watch the Macy’s Christmas Parade or stampede the local Walmart for cheap electronics.
Like the professional football players on TV on Thanksgiving Day, we’ve been training for this all year long. Brown Friday is our time to shine!
What Causes Plumbing Problems on Brown Friday?
Every household is unique, and every plumbing job has challenges. On Brown Friday, we usually find ourselves dealing with:
- Clogged toilets and pipes because someone flushed feminine products, diapers, wipes and the like.
- Sink problems and garbage disposal issues caused by turkey bones or tin foil in the system.
- Bathroom drain issues that went unnoticed until five extra guests spent the weekend.
- Guest bathroom issues that no one noticed because the room hasn’t been used much since last year.
If you’re like Grandma and need emergency plumbing services on a holiday, contact the “Plumbers in Plaid.” We’ve been training hard for this all year and are ready to serve the entire Portland Metro area.
Your next question is, “How can I prevent Brown Friday emergencies?” Let’s find out.
How to Prevent Holiday Plumbing Problems
Grandma has an old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” And, as usual, she’s not wrong!
During the pre-holiday scramble, be aware of your water use. You may wash more laundry — think drapes and guest bedding — and run the dishwasher more often after making all those pumpkin pies. Keep an eye on your drains, and call a licensed journeyman plumber if you notice any slowness. Sometimes a quick “snake” can solve problems before they happen.
If you have a guest bathroom that’s rarely used, take it for a test drive! Spend some quality time there before Turkey Day. (You can even use the little fancy guest soaps and embroidered towels. We won’t tell.) Instead of fleeing your personal aromas immediately, stick around to ensure everything drains and flushes quickly and quietly.
Warning Signs
The best way to prevent Brown Friday mishaps is to maintain your plumbing before the holidays. Watch out for these warning signs:
- Toilets that need plunging often, even when you’re not flushing a #2.
- The kitchen sinks drain slowly.
- The dishwasher backs up into the kitchen sink.
- Any water backs up into your bathtub or shower.
- Gurgling sounds are coming from a faucet.
- Poor water pressure.
- Unusually high water bills.
- Any wetness in your basement or a puddle around your sump pump.
Hopefully, your Thanksgiving weekend will go off without a hitch. But emergencies don’t always happen during regular business hours. And if you need emergency plumbing on a holiday weekend, you can count on the team at D and F Plumbing. We’ve been training for this all year.
