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Brown Friday: How Thanksgiving Day Overwhelms Ohio Drains

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What is Brown Friday? Brown Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, when plumbing emergencies spike because grease and food waste block drains and pipes 


Brown Friday is the busiest plumbing day of the year because drains and pipes get clogged during Thanksgiving Day. Many homes in Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati deal with plumbing disasters during the holiday weekend. Heavy cooking, food waste, and extra guests put pressure on your plumbing.

Even minor plumbing problems can be stressful during the holidays. The licensed and insured plumbers at Logan Services are here to help you prevent them. Your comfort is our priority — call (800) 564-2611 for fast holiday plumbing help. 

The Main Causes of Brown Friday

Kitchen pipe clogged with cooking grease, replaced by Logan Services plumbers.

Heavy Holiday Cooking and Grease Buildup 

Thanksgiving dinner adds grease, fats, poultry skin, fruit pits, and food waste to your plumbing system. These items melt when hot water hits them, but harden as they cool. Potato peels, rice, and pasta swell and block the drain and create clogs. A garbage disposal can jam when too much food is pushed into it. These problems make kitchen sinks clog fast, especially when the house is full and the dishwasher is running often. 

Increased Bathroom Use and Flushing Issues

Holiday guests mean more flushing, more showers, and more hand-washing. Older pipes may not keep up. Toilets clog when wipes, paper towels, or other items are flushed. Small plumbing issues can turn into big problems when bathrooms stay busy all day.

Logan Services plumber inspecting toilet for leaks.
Clogged kitchen sink repaired by Logan Services plumbers

Hidden Problems That Turn Into Holiday Emergencies

Partially clogged sewer lines, small leaks, or slow drains may seem small during a normal week. During Thanksgiving weekend festivities, these issues often get worse. Gurgling, standing water, or sewage odors are signs that your plumbing is struggling.


Thanksgiving Plumbing Tips to Prevent Plumbing Disasters

A few simple steps can help protect your drains during the holiday weekend. These Thanksgiving plumbing tips help prevent grease, other debris, and excess water use from overwhelming your plumbing system.

Protect Your Kitchen Drain and Garbage Disposal

  • Put grease, fats, and cooking oil in the garbage after they cool. Never pour them down the drain. 
  • Do not put turkey bones, celery, onion skins, pasta, potato peels, or other scraps in the disposal. 
  • Run cold water before and after using the disposal to help push food through the pipes. 
  • Use a strainer to catch food waste and throw it in the trash. Never let scraps or debris wash into the drain. 

Keep Bathrooms Running Smoothly

  • Flush only toilet paper. Do not flush wet wipes, sanitary items, napkins, or paper towels. 
  • Encourage guests to use a trash can for anything other than toilet paper. Most toilet clogs start when wet wipes or paper towels get flushed. 
  • Wait a few minutes between multiple showers to protect the drains. 

Simple Prep Steps Before Overnight Guests Arrive

  • Inspect drains for slow movement or early clogs and schedule service calls early. 
  • Know where your main water shutoff valve is located. 
  • Consider a pre-holiday drain cleaning if your home has a history of clogs. 

Warning Signs You Need a Plumber Now

  • Water backing up into sinks, tubs, or toilets 
  • Gurgling sounds in multiple fixtures 
  • Standing water after running the disposal, dishwasher, or other appliances 

These signs often point to a blockage that requires professional repairs and equipment to fix safely.

Logan Services plumber carrying pipe to install.

Why Ohio Homeowners Trust Logan Services on Brown Friday

Families in Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati trust Logan Services for quick plumbing help. They know they can count on us, especially during Thanksgiving weekend. Our team handles disposal failures, leaks, clogs, and sewer backups. We respond fast and treat your home with care.
From small plumbing problems to major sewer line issues, our team helps restore your home’s comfort quickly. 

Keep Thanksgiving Day Stress-Free With Logan Services’ Plumbers

With simple steps and early prep, you can avoid most Brown Friday problems. If a plumbing issue disrupts your holiday weekend, call Logan Services at (800) 564-2611. Our team offers fast, friendly help to keep your home safe, comfortable, and clog-free. 


Brown Friday & Thanksgiving Plumbing FAQs

What Is Brown Friday, and Why Is It the Busiest Day for Plumbers?

Brown Friday is the big day after Thanksgiving, when plumbing problems rise because drains and pipes face heavy use from cooking, cleaning, and guests. Logan Services offers fast help if your system backs up or slows down.

What Causes Brown Friday Plumbing Emergencies?

Grease, food scraps, and heavy water use overload pipes and lead to clogs and backups. If this happens in your home, our plumbers can clear the line and protect your system from further damage.

What Leftovers Should Never Go Into a Garbage Disposal After Thanksgiving?

Leftovers like turkey skin, potato peels, and pasta should not go into the garbage disposal. 
You should also avoid putting rice, bones, grease, eggshells, and stringy vegetables in there. These items can jam the unit and clog your pipes. Logan Services can clear tough disposal jams and restore your kitchen sink quickly.

Why Do Toilets and Bathrooms Back Up When Guests Are Over?

Extra flushing, wet wipes, and paper towels can clog toilets. Busy bathrooms need time for drains to recover between showers. Giving the plumbing short breaks helps prevent backups. Remind guests to flush only toilet paper. If a toilet backs up or drains slowly, our team can fix the blockage before it spreads.

Why Does My Kitchen Sink Clog After Thanksgiving?

Kitchen sinks clog or gurgle after Thanksgiving because grease and other debris harden inside the pipes. Gurgling happens when a blockage traps air in the drain, signaling your system needs a plumber. Turn off the water and disposal. If the noise continues or the sink drains slowly, call a plumber. Logan Services can diagnose the cause and clear the clog fast so your kitchen stays usable.

Can Holiday Grease Really Damage My Pipes?

Grease may be in liquid form when you pour it down the drain, but it hardens inside pipes and leads to major clogs. Our drain-cleaning services remove grease buildup before it causes bigger problems.

What Are Some Easy Clog-Preventing Tips for Thanksgiving?

Simple steps can keep your plumbing safe from Brown Friday plumbing disasters. Throw scraps in the trash, properly dispose of grease, and run cold water when using the garbage disposal. Remind guests to flush only toilet paper and space out showers so drains can recover. If you spot slow drains or backups, Logan Services can clear the line before it turns into a bigger problem.

When Should I Call a Plumber for a Clog?

Call right away if you notice sewage smells, water backing up, or gurgling drains. Logan Services offers quick, reliable help to keep your home safe during the holidays.

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