NORWALK, Connecticut – November 27, 2025 – While many Americans are out shopping for Black Friday deals, plumbers across the country are bracing for their busiest day of the year, known as "Brown Friday." The day after Thanksgiving consistently sees a sharp increase in plumbing emergencies, with HomeServe’s network of partner plumbers reporting an average call volume increase of 19% compared to an average Friday.

Why Does Brown Friday Happen?
Thanksgiving gatherings place unique stress on home plumbing systems. From meal prep to the additional guests, plumbing systems are pushed to their limits. It’s not just clogged toilets wreaking havoc; kitchen sink drains and garbage disposals often bear the brunt of the strain. The holiday’s traditional feasts involve grease, starchy leftovers and fibrous food waste that easily clog pipes and disposals.

In a recent poll of HomeServe’s extensive contractor network, HomeServe plumber partners reported that food waste clogging drains was the most common problem after the Thanksgiving holiday, with 42% being called out for repairs related to this issue. A distant second was overworked plumbing by an abundance of guests at 17%, followed by non-flushable items being flushed at 9%, fat, oil and grease clogs and garbage disposal malfunction at 8% each and 16% reporting "other" from "all of the above" to "clogged toilets."

"When your house is bursting at the seams with holiday guests, extra showers and frequent toilet flushes already put significant strain on your plumbing,” said Mike Winkeljohn, HomeServe Regional Operations Manager and licensed plumber. “Then, there’s the holiday meal preparation with turkey drippings, potato peels and food scraps making their way down the sink. Given that, your pipes can become a recipe for disaster."

Common Plumbing Issues on Brown Friday

The most commonly reported plumbing emergencies the day after Thanksgiving include:

• Kitchen Sink Clogs: Cooking fats, oils and fibrous foods like celery or potato peels solidify in pipes or create tough blockages.
• Garbage Disposal Failures: Overloading disposals with food scraps such as poultry skins, bones, and rice can lead to jams and breakdowns.
• Toilet Backups: Increased usage of guest bathrooms can overwhelm plumbing systems, causing clogs.
• Sewer Line Blockages: High water usage combined with excessive waste can lead to backups or overflows.

How to Avoid Holiday Plumbing Mishaps

Homeowners can prepare for holiday gatherings by taking simple precautions to protect their plumbing. Here are some tips to keep things flowing smoothly and prevent costly repair calls:

• Dispose of grease and oil properly. Pour grease into a sealed container to cool, then throw it in the trash. Never pour it down drains, as it solidifies and clogs pipes.
• Scrape food waste into the trash. Avoid rinsing fibrous or starchy foods like celery, potato peels and rice into your sink. They can easily overwhelm garbage disposals or lead to pipe buildup.
• Run garbage disposals with cold water. Cold water helps grease solidify so the disposal can break down food waste effectively.
• Pace bathroom usage. Spread out showers among your guests to reduce strain on the system.
• Stay mindful of what goes down the toilet. Only flush toilet paper. Products like wet wipes, even if labeled "flushable," can clog plumbing systems.

Plumbers are familiar with after-holiday issues and there are likely many in your area ready and willing to address your plumbing problem. In fact, 34% of HomeServe plumber partners surveyed said they scheduled additional workers specifically for Brown Friday. However, its best to avoid an inconvenient – or worse, expensive – home repair. Follow our tips for a stress- and plumber-free holiday!