Holiday Plumbing Prep: Prevent Clogs During Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the best times of the year. The kitchen smells amazing, everyone’s laughing in the living room, and the house feels full and alive. But for your plumbing system, it can be one of the most stressful days on the calendar. With all the cooking, dishwashing, and extra bathroom traffic, your drains and pipes are suddenly working overtime.

At CPI Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we know Thanksgiving can push even the best plumbing systems to their limits. Every year, plumbers across the country brace for the day after the holiday, known in our industry as “Brown Friday.” That’s when plumbing emergencies skyrocket from overloaded drains and garbage disposals. So before the feast begins, let’s talk about how to keep your plumbing flowing smoothly and avoid the post-turkey chaos.

Why Thanksgiving Is Tough on Your Plumbing

Your plumbing system might handle your family’s everyday needs just fine, but when Thanksgiving rolls around, everything changes. Suddenly, you’re rinsing off greasy pans, peeling potatoes, and running the dishwasher nonstop. Add to that a house full of guests using bathrooms all day, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for drain clogs and backups.

Most people don’t realize how sensitive their plumbing really is. Grease, starchy foods, and fibrous vegetables can build up quickly in your kitchen drain, while an overworked toilet or shower drain can struggle to keep up with all the extra use. Even small issues you haven’t noticed before, like a slow drain or a gurgling toilet, can turn into full-blown plumbing emergencies under holiday pressure.

This is exactly why plumbing maintenance before the holidays makes such a difference. A quick tune-up can mean the difference between a cozy Thanksgiving and one spent waiting for emergency plumbers.

Keep the Kitchen Flowing: What Not to Put Down the Drain

If there’s one thing that can ruin Thanksgiving dinner faster than a dry turkey, it’s a kitchen sink that refuses to drain. Most holiday plumbing problems start right here. Grease and food scraps are the main culprits, and once they go down the drain, they can harden and block your pipes.

To keep your kitchen drain clog-free, here’s what to avoid putting down the sink or garbage disposal:

• Grease and oils: Pouring liquid fat down the drain might seem harmless, but once it cools, it solidifies and traps food particles.
• Potato peels and rice: These expand and stick together, turning into a paste that blocks water flow.
• Stringy veggies: Celery, corn husks, and onion skins can wrap around disposal blades and jam the motor.
• Poultry bones or skin: Hard bones and fibrous meat scraps are tough on your disposal and can cause serious damage.

Instead of rinsing everything away, scrape your plates into the trash or compost. Run cold water before and after using the garbage disposal to help flush small bits through. A little prevention goes a long way when it comes to avoiding kitchen drain clogs.

The Truth About “Brown Friday”

If you’ve never heard the term “Brown Friday,” you might think it’s a joke, but for plumbers, it’s the busiest day of the year. The day after Thanksgiving, calls for plumbing services surge as people discover clogged sinks, broken disposals, and backed-up toilets.

Why does it happen? It’s simple. All the extra food waste, grease, and bathroom usage from the holiday cause plumbing systems to overload. Even homes that don’t have major plumbing issues can experience problems when pipes and drains are pushed past their limits.

CPI’s team has seen it all during Brown Friday, from overflowing sinks to sewer line backups. The good news is, most of these problems can be avoided with a little foresight. A quick plumbing inspection before the big day can help spot potential issues, while mindful habits in the kitchen and bathroom can keep everything running smoothly.

So if you’ve got family coming in from out of town, consider this your reminder to get your plumbing ready before the feast begins.

Bathroom Etiquette for Guests (and Hosts)

When you’ve got a house full of guests, the bathroom becomes one of the busiest spots in the house. Extra flushing, showers, and handwashing can put stress on your pipes. One small clog can quickly turn into a full-on plumbing emergency if not handled right.

Before guests arrive, check that toilets are flushing properly and sinks are draining freely. If you’ve noticed gurgling sounds, slow drainage, or low water pressure, it’s best to call in a professional before the big day.

A few quick tips to prevent toilet clogs and bathroom backups:

• Keep a small wastebasket nearby so guests don’t flush wipes, paper towels, or feminine products.
• Use moderate amounts of toilet paper. Too much at once can easily cause a clog.
• Space out showers if possible, giving drains time to clear between uses.
  

Remind guests politely, especially kids, that only waste and toilet paper should go down the toilet. A little conversation now can prevent a lot of embarrassment later.

Garbage Disposal Care During the Holidays

Your garbage disposal is a hardworking appliance, but even it has limits. During Thanksgiving, it’s easy to overload the system with all the scraps and leftovers that pile up. Overuse or improper use is one of the top causes of holiday plumbing calls.

If you’re not careful, your garbage disposal problems could turn into a full clog or even motor damage. Always feed food into the disposal slowly, run plenty of cold water, and avoid fibrous or hard items.

Here’s a quick guide for keeping your disposal happy:

• Avoid putting bones, fruit pits, or shells into the disposal.
• Skip fibrous foods like corn husks, celery, and artichoke leaves.
• Keep utensils and small objects away from the drain opening.
• After use, grind a few ice cubes and a slice of lemon to clean and freshen blades.

If your disposal makes strange noises, smells bad, or struggles to grind food, it may need a tune-up or repair. Don’t wait until it stops working completely, call your trusted plumbing professionals before guests arrive.

Don’t Forget About the Dishwasher and Laundry Room

It’s not just the kitchen sink and bathroom that see extra action during Thanksgiving. Dishwashers and washing machines are also running more often, especially with houseguests staying over.

Clogs can form when food debris enters the dishwasher drain or when laundry lint accumulates in the washing machine line. Make sure you scrape plates before loading the dishwasher and clean the filters regularly. If your washer is draining slowly or backing up, it’s time to get that checked.

Routine plumbing maintenance before the holidays helps ensure every appliance connected to your plumbing system can handle the added workload. A quick service visit from CPI’s licensed plumbers can clear out buildup and ensure your drains are in top shape.

What to Do If You Face a Plumbing Emergency

Even with the best preparation, sometimes things still go wrong. A sudden clog, overflowing sink, or broken pipe can throw a wrench into your Thanksgiving plans. That’s when you need fast, reliable emergency plumbing services.

At CPI Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we understand that plumbing emergencies never happen at a convenient time. That’s why our team is ready to help when you need it most. Whether it’s a kitchen drain clog or a backed-up toilet, we can quickly diagnose the issue and get your home back to normal.

If you find yourself in a pinch, here’s what to do:

• Turn off the water at the nearest shutoff valve to stop flooding.
• Avoid using chemical drain cleaners, as they can damage pipes.
• Don’t keep running water through a slow or clogged drain, it’ll only worsen the problem.
• Call an emergency plumber right away to prevent further damage.

A quick response can make all the difference between a small fix and a costly repair.

Prep Your Plumbing for This Thanksgiving With CPI!

The holidays should be about good food, laughter, and time spent with family, and not worrying about your drains or toilets. At CPI Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we’re here to make sure your home is ready for the busy season ahead. Our skilled team provides professional plumbing services throughout Mt. Vernon and Skagit County, helping local homeowners keep their systems running smoothly year-round.

Whether you need a pre-holiday plumbing checkup, help with stubborn clogs, or reliable emergency plumbing services, we’ve got you covered. Let us handle the messy stuff so you can focus on what really matters this Thanksgiving. Give CPI a call today, and let’s make sure your home is fully prepared for the festivities ahead.