UBCNews - Business - Keep Your Pleasant Valley Plumbing Flowing For The Holidays: Tips From IA Techs

Episode Date: November 25, 2025

So, here's a question for everyone tuning in: have you ever heard plumbers call the day after Thanksgiving 'Brown Friday'? Northwest Plumbing, Heating & AC City: Davenport Address: 5885 Tremont Ave Website: https://www.callnw.com/

So here's a question for everyone tuning in. Have you ever heard plumbers call the day after Thanksgiving Brown Friday? Oh, yeah. And trust me, there's nothing retail about it. One of the busiest days of the year for plumbers. We're talking about a massive surge in service calls. Plumbing companies commonly report significant increases compared to a typical Friday. That's huge.

So what's going on that makes it so crazy? Well, it all comes down to Thanksgiving dinner and how we handle the aftermath. You know, people are cooking these massive feasts, turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, all the fixings. And a lot of that waste ends up going down the drain or into the garbage disposal when it really shouldn't. Right, because not everything belongs in the pipes. Exactly. Things like grease fats and oils are major culprits. They might go down as liquids, but once they cool off in your pipes, they solidify and create these stubborn blockages. And then you've got starchy vegetables.

potatoes, carrots, celery, they can really gum up your garbage disposal and drains. Mm-hmm, I see. So the real issue is what we're putting down there during all that cooking. Definitely. And there's another factor, too. You've got more people in the house. Family staying over, extra guests, which means more showers, more toilet flushes, more laundry. Your plumbing system is suddenly working overtime. So the system gets strained just from the sheer volume of use? That's right. I actually had a neighbor a few years back who hosted about 15 people for Thanksgiving weekend. By Friday morning, they had a completely clogged toilet, and their kitchen sink was backed up.

It was a mess, and it could have been avoided with a little preparation. Yikes, that sounds like a nightmare way to start Black Friday. Though I guess that's why they call it Brown Friday, right? Ah, exactly. You got it. Okay. So what can homeowners do now before the holiday hits to prevent these plumbing disasters? Great question. First thing, never, and I mean never, pour grease, fats, or oils down your drain. Keep a container handy. Let that stuff cool and toss it in the trash instead. That seems simple enough. It is. But people forget in the rush of cleanup.

Second, be mindful of what goes into your garbage disposal. Stringy, fibrous, or starchy waste should stay out. So that means potato peels, celery strings, turkey scraps, those all belong in the garbage can. Keep your disposal clear, keep your drains flowing. Two ways of saying the same thing, really. What about running the disposal itself? Is there a right way to use it? Absolutely. Run it regularly and always use cold water while it's operating. The cold water helps flush food particles through and prevents grease from coating your pipes. Hot water can actually melt fats, which then resolidify further down the line. Interesting. So cold water is actually better here.

Yeah, counterintuitive, but true. Now for your toilets, make sure your guests know that only toilet paper should go down. No wipes, no paper towels, nothing else. That point about preventing grease buildup and proper disposal use sets up our next piece, managing all that extra water use with multiple guests. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. to host family and friends this Thanksgiving in the Quad Cities area, write this down. Northwest Plumbing Heating and AC has been serving the region since 1923, offering trusted residential plumbing services, including drain cleaning and clogged sink repair. Our experienced technicians provide 24-7 emergency service to keep your home running smoothly

during the holidays. Learn more at callnw.com. Picking up on that grease buildup issue and managing extra water use, how do you handle the strain when you've got a full house? Space things out. If you've got multiple bathrooms, try not to have everyone showering at the same time. Give your drains time to work effectively between uses. And what about appliances like dishwashers and washing machines? Same idea. Avoid running multiple water using appliances simultaneously. If everyone's showering and you're running the dishwasher and doing laundry all at once, you're going to run out of hot water fast and put serious stress on your system.

So timing and coordination really matter here. Exactly. And here's something people overlook. If you already have plumbing issues, a slow drain, a toilet that doesn't flush quite right, get those fixed before Thanksgiving. Inspect your drains for slow drainage and clear any clogs now. Small problems become big emergencies when your system is under holiday stress. Or you could say minor issues turn into major headaches during the holiday rush. That's smart preventive thinking. What about things like strainer's for sinks and showers?

Oh, those are fantastic. The techs at Northwest Plumbing, Heating and AC recommend them all the time. Adding strainers to your showers and sinks can catch hair and debris before they cause blockages. It's a cheap, simple fix that saves a lot of headaches down the road. Makes sense. So for everyone getting ready to host this year, think about what your pipes can actually handle, right? That's the formula. Think of it this way.

A little effort now means you can focus on enjoying time with family instead of dealing with a plumbing emergency on Brown Friday. Right. And nobody wants to spend their holiday weekend with a plunger in hand. Definitely not. Keep those drains clear. Be smart about what goes down your pipes, and you'll have a much happier holiday. Perfect advice as we head into the busy season. Thanks for breaking all this down today. My pleasure. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. And here's hoping for clog-free celebrating. all around.