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By now, we’re all familiar with Black Friday, the retail event that follows Thanksgiving. But people may not be as familiar with Brown Friday, the day plumbers are warning about following the holiday.
But before you jump to conclusions, Brown Friday didn’t get its name for the reasons you might think (probably).
Why It Matters
Last Thanksgiving, searches for “emergency plumber" during Brown Friday spiked by 27 percent nationwide as per a study from Yelp, reflecting how this time of year is particularly busy for plumbers.
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What To Know
Brown Friday is a term coined by plumbers, as the day after Thanksgiving is recognized as their busiest day of the year.
Thanksgiving dinner and all its trimmings mean that there is an excess of grease, leftover food, which can cause drains and garbage disposals to become clogged and broken following the holiday festivities. Beyond just this, added house guests can also lead to added strain on plumbing systems.
A spokesperson for Yelp said in a statement to Newsweek over email “Every year, Brown Friday puts America’s pipes to the ultimate test, with countless people turning to Yelp to find a trusted plumber. Whether you're hosting the whole family or a small gathering of friends, following a few simple tips, like avoiding scraps in your sink, can save your holiday from plumbing emergencies."
There are some tricks and tips that can help with alleviating plumbing pressure though.
Firstly, be mindful of what’s going into your garbage disposal and ensure it’s always clear of utensils and other objects. Before grinding food waste, turn on the cold water for 20 to 30 seconds.
Do not grind the following foods:
- Bones
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
- Fats, oils and grease
- Fibrous vegetable foods like celery, broccoli, potato peelings, lettuce, onion skins
- Pits
- Uncooked starches like pasta and rice
The following foods are safe to grind:
- Chopped foods
- Ice cubes
- Liquids and soft foods.
If you encounter blockages, using a plunger can help in your kitchen sink the same way it can in a toilet.
If there is a buildup of grease and oil, try pouring dish soap down the drain, and then pour a pot of boiling water.
An alternative method to loosen clogs is to use a combination of baking soda and vinegar.
But don’t let kitchen stress deter you from having an enjoyable Thanksgiving.
Many Americans are excited for the much-loved Thanksgiving foods, be it sweet treats like pies or the main event of the turkey. And, people are particularly excited about the sides, according to Campbell’s annual State of the Sides report.
The report, which was based on a survey of 5,000 Americans across all 50 states, found 63 percent of people prefer the sides to the entrée, and nearly half say they would be perfectly happy with a plate full of sides and no turkey at all. Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and stuffing are all proving that when it comes to Thanksgiving Dinner, they've got main character energy.
What People Are Saying
Josh Campbell, Founder and President of Rescue Air & Plumbing, said in a statement shared with Newsweek over email: “Brown Friday is always our busiest day of the year, and with last year being busier than the year before, all signs point to even more calls this year. With more families cooking at home, increased use of disposable wipes [which can clog pipes], and bigger gatherings putting extra stress on aging pipes, systems are pushed to their limits. The smartest hosts are the ones who prep early, and keep a Yelp pro’s number at the ready."
What’s Next
This year, Thanksgiving falls on November 27th.
Update 11/27/25, 8:25 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include comment from a Yelp spokesperson and Josh Campbell.
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