The Day After Thanksgiving Is the Busiest Day of the Year for Plumbers
You might be surprised to learn that "Brown Friday" isn't actually the busiest day for plumbers after all. While many assume the day after Thanksgiving brings a flood of emergency calls, data shows that Mondays surrounding the holiday create more chaos for plumbing professionals. The real story behind holiday plumbing emergencies, and how you can avoid becoming part of these statistics, reveals some unexpected patterns in both timing and location across the country.
Debunking the Brown Friday Plumbing Myth
While many people believe the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest time for plumbers, data tells a different story. The myth origins trace back to the plumbing industry coining the term "Brown Friday," which media coverage helped spread over time.
Recent plumbing facts from ServiceTitan's three-year study reveal that Brown Friday actually sees lower numbers across the board. You'll find that Mondays before and after Thanksgiving are much busier, with 80-85% higher call volumes than the day after Thanksgiving. Some contractors report numerous plumbing issues from garbage disposals and blockages due to heavy food consumption and multiple guests. The increased disposal of cooking oils and fats during meal preparation is a major contributor to these problems.
In fact, a typical November weekday has 50% more service calls than Brown Friday.
The Monday after Thanksgiving has proven to be particularly significant – in 2018, it generated the highest daily revenue of the entire year, doubling what plumbers earned on Brown Friday.
Peak Hours and Search Trends During Holiday Season
Although Brown Friday may not be the busiest overall day, specific hours during the holiday season see significant spikes in plumbing emergencies.
You'll find the peak trouble time falls between 1-4 PM, when call volumes double compared to normal Fridays.
Holiday plumbing trends show a clear pattern in how people search for help. Emergency plumbing searches surge 65% around Thanksgiving, with "24-hour plumber" hitting its highest search volume on Thanksgiving Day itself. Most issues stem from clogged drains and broken garbage disposals during the festivities. Plumbers report that service calls increase 40% during this hectic post-holiday period.
You'll want to note that November and December make up 36% of yearly plumbing searches, with December alone accounting for 19%.
If you're in Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Sacramento, or Baltimore, you're in one of the top cities for plumbing issues during this season.
The increased demand continues through New Year's, so it's smart to keep a plumber's number handy.
Most Common Post-Thanksgiving Plumbing Emergencies
During the post-Thanksgiving chaos, four major plumbing emergencies tend to wreak havoc in homes across America.
Your kitchen drain often takes the biggest hit when grease, potato peels, and turkey scraps overwhelm the garbage disposal. Plumbing companies report fifty percent more calls on Black Friday.
Next, you'll find clogged drains in showers and sinks from increased guest usage, soap buildup, and trapped hair. Plumbers stay extra busy year-round preparing for this surge in service calls.
Toilet backups become a major headache due to excessive toilet paper use and guests flushing non-flushable items.
If you're experiencing multiple drain issues at once, you might've a main sewer line problem. The extra strain from holiday waste can expose existing issues like tree root intrusion or pipe damage.
Don't wait to address these problems – they'll only get worse as holiday activities continue.
Regional Hotspots for Holiday Plumbing Issues
As plumbing emergencies spike during the holidays, each region of the U.S. faces its own unique challenges.
In the Northeast, frozen pipes and aging infrastructure create major headaches during family gatherings. You'll find Midwest flooding issues from frozen sump pumps, while the South's high humidity leads to mold and backup problems. Experts warn that increased guest usage during holiday festivities can overwhelm local plumbing systems. Professionals recommend staggering shower times to prevent exhausting the hot water supply.
Here's what you need to watch for in each region during holiday celebrations:
- Northeast challenges: Dense population strains systems, especially in older cities
- Midwest flooding: Basements are at risk when temperatures fluctuate
- South humidity: Clay soil shifts foundations, causing pipe damage
- West Coast earthquakes: Pipe ruptures threaten holiday gatherings
- Hard water problems: Mineral buildup affects both Midwest and West Coast homes
If you live in these regions, consider having your plumbing checked before hosting holiday events.
Essential Tips to Prevent Holiday Plumbing Disasters
Since holiday gatherings put extra strain on home plumbing systems, you'll need specific preventive steps to avoid disasters. Your holiday prep should start with a thorough plumbing checklist that addresses both kitchen and bathroom concerns. Maintaining the recommended 15-minute shower limit helps manage water usage when hosting multiple guests.
In the kitchen, use sink strainers and avoid disposing of grease or starchy foods down drains. Keep your garbage disposal running with cold water before and after use. Running your disposal with citrus peels occasionally will help maintain a fresh scent.
For bathrooms, set clear guidelines for guests about flushing only toilet paper and human waste. You'll want to place waste baskets nearby for non-flushable items.
Don't forget basic maintenance like insulating exposed pipes and scheduling a pre-holiday inspection. It's smart to space out major water usage and keep emergency supplies handy.
Remember to have a reliable plumber's contact information ready, just in case.
