Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family, enjoying delicious food, and creating lasting memories. But if you’re a homeowner in Marietta, Georgia, there’s another holiday you should be aware of: Brown Friday. While shoppers across the country rush out for Black Friday deals, plumbers nationwide brace for their busiest day of the year—the day after Thanksgiving.
If you’ve never heard of Brown Friday, you’re not alone. But if you’re planning to host guests this Thanksgiving or simply want to protect your home’s plumbing system, understanding what Brown Friday is and how to prevent plumbing disasters should be at the top of your holiday checklist.
What Exactly Is Brown Friday?
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Brown Friday is industry slang that plumbers use to describe the day after Thanksgiving. It’s called “Brown Friday” due to the dramatic increase in sewage-related emergency calls that plumbers receive. While retailers focus on Black Friday sales, plumbing companies like Roto-Rooter—the nation’s largest provider of plumbing and drain services—experiences a 50% spike in service calls compared to an average Friday.
According to Roto-Rooter data, the entire Thanksgiving weekend sees a 21% boost in calls, but the day after Thanksgiving is consistently the busiest. For Yelp searches, the numbers are equally staggering: searches for “emergency plumber” jumped 27%, “plumber” increased 22%, and “24 hour plumbing” surged 19% during the Brown Friday period.
This surge isn’t just industry hype. A recent study from Angi found that 28% of homeowners experience a plumbing issue immediately following a holiday gathering, and even more concerning, 85% of homeowners say an unexpected plumbing repair bill is their top Thanksgiving stressor—even outranking arguing guests or running out of food.
Why Does Brown Friday Happen?
Brown Friday happens because of the perfect storm of residential plumbing challenges:
Extra Guests Mean Increased Water Usage – When you have family and friends staying over, your toilets, showers, and sinks are working overtime. More people flushing toilets, taking showers, and washing their hands puts enormous stress on your home’s plumbing system. For Marietta homeowners hosting visitors, this increased demand can overwhelm aging pipes and septic systems.
Kitchen Chaos and Grease Buildup – Thanksgiving dinner preparation is the main culprit behind Brown Friday emergencies. Turkey drippings, gravy, cooking oils, and food scraps end up down kitchen drains and garbage disposals. When grease and fats cool down, they solidify inside your pipes, creating stubborn clogs that can back up into your sink or even your entire house.
Food Waste Disasters – Many homeowners don’t realize that certain foods should never go down the garbage disposal. Potato peels, turkey bones, stringy vegetables like celery, rice, pasta, eggshells, and corn husks can damage disposal motors or create blockages deep in your drain line.
Bathroom Overload – Guest bathrooms take a beating during the holidays. Extra toilet paper usage, flushed wipes (even “flushable” ones), and items accidentally dropped by children can quickly lead to toilet backups and overflows.
The Cost of Waiting Until Brown Friday
The financial impact of a plumbing emergency on Brown Friday can be devastating. According to industry experts, repair costs can double what you’d normally pay on a regular day. This is because plumbers are working overtime, parts suppliers are often closed, and demand makes scheduling nearly impossible.
Homeowners who have experienced holiday plumbing mistakes spend an average of $722 on repairs. For Marietta residents, those costs add up quickly—especially when you factor in potential water damage to your home’s structure and foundation.
How to Prevent a Brown Friday Disaster
The good news? Most Brown Friday plumbing emergencies are completely preventable with a little preparation and mindfulness. Here’s what Marietta homeowners should do:
Schedule a Pre-Holiday Plumbing Inspection
The best defense against Brown Friday problems is a professional pre-Thanksgiving plumbing inspection. A licensed plumber can identify potential issues before they become emergencies—and it’s almost always cheaper than a holiday repair. K L Contractor Plumbing Inc can provide this peace-of-mind service before your guests arrive, ensuring your entire system is ready for the holiday rush.
Protect Your Kitchen Drains
Never pour grease, turkey drippings, or cooking oils down your drain. Let them cool and solidify, then throw them in the trash. Use a mesh strainer over your sink to catch food particles before they enter your drain system. After heavy cooking sessions, fill your sink with hot, soapy water and let it drain all at once for a good flush.
Mind Your Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal is powerful, but it’s not a trash can. Never put these items down your disposal:
- Grease, fats, and cooking oils
- Turkey bones and poultry skin
- Potato peels and stringy vegetables
- Rice, pasta, and corn husks
- Eggshells
Always run the disposal while water is flowing, and add food gradually rather than in large clumps.
Prepare Your Guest Bathrooms
Place a plunger in each guest bathroom and make sure everyone (especially children) knows that toilet paper is the only thing that should be flushed. Avoid putting wipes, napkins, cotton swabs, or feminine hygiene products down the toilet.
If someone is using an excessive amount of toilet paper, encourage them to flush twice instead of once—this helps break up the paper and prevents clogs.
Watch for Warning Signs
Don’t wait until you have guests to address plumbing problems. Watch for these red flags:
- Slow-draining sinks or toilets
- Gurgling sounds from drains
- Water backing up in showers
- Sewage odors around your home
- Toilets that frequently run
If you notice any of these signs, call a professional plumber immediately.
Why Call K L Contractor Plumbing Inc Before Brown Friday?
As a Marietta homeowner, you deserve peace of mind this Thanksgiving. K L Contractor Plumbing Inc has been serving Marietta, Acworth, Kennesaw, and the surrounding Cobb County communities for over 20 years. With decades of experience, the team understands the unique challenges that Georgia homes face, including aging plumbing systems that can’t handle the holiday rush.
Rather than risk a costly emergency repair during the busiest plumbing day of the year, schedule a pre-Thanksgiving inspection now. The plumbing professionals at K L Contractor can:
- Inspect your entire system for potential issues
- Clean your drains to ensure proper flow
- Check your garbage disposal for damage
- Verify your toilet flapper and other components are functioning properly
- Provide maintenance tips specific to your home
Call K L Contractor Plumbing Inc Today – Marietta’s Local Plumber
Thanksgiving should be about gratitude, family, and good food—not emergency plumbing calls and costly repairs. By taking a few preventive steps now, you can ensure that your Marietta home’s plumbing system is ready for the holiday rush.
Contact K L Contractor Plumbing Inc at (404) 637-796 to schedule your pre-Thanksgiving plumbing inspection. With their 24/7 emergency services and local expertise, you’ll have the protection you need to handle whatever Brown Friday throws your way.
Don’t let plumbing problems ruin your Thanksgiving. Call today and enjoy the holidays with confidence.
