While many associate the day after Thanksgiving with Black Friday, plumbers across the United States have dubbed it Brown Friday — a term you might not want to delve into too deeply.
Bargain hunters might initially think Brown Friday is related to shopping deals, but rest assured, it is not.
Brown Friday is a term used within the plumbing industry, and when you think about plumbing and the color brown, you can probably guess the reason behind it. If you’re still curious, keep reading, but you’ve been warned.
So, if Brown Friday isn’t about snagging discounts on items like an AirFryer, what exactly is it?
Brown Friday refers to the day following Thanksgiving, one of the busiest days of the year for plumbers.
According to Roto-Rooter, a company specializing in plumbing, sewer, and drain services, there is a notable 50 percent increase in service calls the day after Thanksgiving, as reported by Fox News.
Thanksgiving involves indulging in a variety of delicious foods, but these can often lead to problems with toilets and garbage disposals.
Paul Abrams, a spokesperson for Roto-Rooter, described Thanksgiving as ‘a perfect storm for plumbing emergencies.’
“With homes full of guests, extra showers, and marathon kitchen sessions, pipes and disposals are pushed to their limits,” he said. “Add in greasy turkey drippings and food scraps, and it’s no wonder drains clog and toilets back up.”
In terms of food, egg shells and potato skins are notorious for causing blockages. However, celery is considered even worse.
“Celery is incredibly fibrous,” explained plumber Patrick Garner to WTOP News. “When that comes down the drain, it’s breaking into these tough little strings, not unlike dental floss. That celery will bind up that disposal.”
Another issue? ‘Flushable’ wipes. Garner noted, “I am convinced whoever invented flushable wipes was a plumber, because they know that no wipes are flushable.”
People are advised to simply throw these wipes in the trash to avoid plumbing mishaps.
Additionally, it is recommended to stagger showers and laundry tasks to alleviate strain on plumbing systems, provide plungers and wastebaskets in guest bathrooms, operate the disposal while adding food scraps, and keep turkey drippings and grease away from drains.