Thanksgiving involves family and food, and, often as a result, plumbing problems. With the kitchen working overtime and guests frequenting the bathroom, it’s easy to see why plumbers call it the busiest period of the year.
Use these friendly Thanksgiving plumbing tips to help give customers advice on saving their pipes and drains (and maybe a way to avoid any holiday family angst).
Here’s a quick look at what you can expect:
Top Thanksgiving plumbing problems and the usual reasons that clog drains, block disposals, and make toilets overflow.
'Brown Friday.' Is it a myth? Or is it really the biggest day of the year for plumbers?
Practical tips to deal with grease disposal and shower schedules.
How to tell when you really should call a plumber.
How plumbers handle the Thanksgiving Day surge with smart tech.
These tips are super easy to share with customers and help you build trust. They also have the bonus of keeping your shop top of mind long after the holiday dishes are put away.
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What Are the Top Thanksgiving Plumbing Problems?
Any holiday that brings people together and involves family feasts can put a strain on the plumbing system. However, Thanksgiving does so like few other days of the year. Extra cooking, greasy foods, heavy dishwashing, and a house full to the brim with guests can quickly turn into a recipe for plumbing problems.
Below are just a few of the problems plumbers typically see around Thanksgiving time:
Kitchen sink clogs caused by pouring liquid grease down the drain, which then solidifies in the pipes. A few drips of pan grease don’t seem like much, but they build up over time.
Garbage disposal jams from food scraps like celery or potato peels, which then wrap around the blades.
Toilets clogged by wipes or just plain old excess use. Even the 'flushable' products aren’t really that friendly to a home’s pipes.
Hot water shortages from the back-to-back showers. Even larger water heaters can’t handle 10+ showers in a night.
Burst pipes or leaks in colder regions, especially if homes aren’t properly winterized.
These ongoing issues show why homeowners need practical guidance before the holiday rush.
What Is 'Brown Friday' in Plumbing?
Many people call the Friday after Thanksgiving 'Brown Friday.' We’ll leave it up to your imagination as to why, but it’s also because it’s thought to be the busiest day of the year for plumbers.
The story goes that clogged sinks, toilets, and overloaded systems make Thanksgiving Day so tough that it carries into the weekend.
However, ServiceTitan’s own research on Brown Friday tells a different story.
In reality, the Mondays before and after Thanksgiving tend to see higher call volumes. Families often notice problems as they prepare for guests or once the crowd leaves. For plumbing contractors, it still means the Thanksgiving holiday period is a busy one.
With this in mind, let’s check out some actionable tips you can give homeowners for Thanksgiving.
Top Thanksgiving Plumbing Tips and How to Apply Them
Holiday plumbing problems can really throw a wrench into even the best-planned gathering. The good news is that a few simple steps are all it takes to prevent issues before they become plumbing emergencies.
From proper grease disposal to taking shorter showers, these practical habits keep pipes clear, water flowing, and the toilet happy.
Share these tips with your customers so their homes stay comfortable and their celebrations stress-free.
1. Make Sure Your Home Is Ready
The best way to avoid holiday plumbing disasters is to make sure everything in your home is in proper working order before guests arrive. A quick check under the sink, around the toilet, and around the water heater can reveal leaks that could worsen under the pressure of more than usual usage.
Even a drain already partially blocked by grease or soap can become clogged entirely once the turkey is in the oven and the kitchen goes into overdrive.
Encourage your customers to schedule inspections and repairs well in advance. Routine service not only prevents emergencies but also supports long-term profitability for your plumbing business.
2. Reduce Kitchen Traffic
Kitchens get crowded fast during the holidays, and that’s when accidents happen. A small bump at the wrong moment can send a wedding ring or a wine glass into the kitchen sink, creating clogs that aren’t going away without professional help.
Too many cooks also means more food scraps getting into places where they don’t belong. Hosts can avoid trouble by setting up a snack station or drink area outside the kitchen. Fewer people means a faster cleanup and less stress on the plumbing.
3. Properly Dispose of Grease
A sure-fire way to clog your plumbing is to pour hot grease down the drain. Sure, it looks harmless in liquid form, but as soon as it comes into contact with the cold surfaces in your pipes, it hardens and blocks water flow. Many 'Brown Friday' service calls stem from this simple mistake.
To properly dispose of turkey grease, pour it into a disposable container (not glass, as it may shatter from the heat) then toss it in the trash once it solidifies.
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4. Don’t Treat Your Garbage Disposal like a Garbage Bag
A garbage disposal is a handy tool, but it’s not a black hole built to swallow everything left over from Thanksgiving dinner. If you treat it like a trash can, not only will it start to smell like one, but you’ll end up with clogs and even broken blades.
The rule of thumb with garbage disposal units is that if you can’t chew it, your disposal probably can’t either.
Here are a few things you definitely don’t want to send down the drain:
Bones or fruit pits that can crack the blades.
Fibrous foods like celery that tangle and stop the motor.
Potato peels and pasta, which, rather than getting shredded, just swell up and become a sticky gum.
Coffee grounds and eggshells, which can’t dissolve in water, turn into sludge.
When a garbage disposal gets jammed, it takes expensive, high-tech plumbing tools, real skill, and even plumbing AI to fix it. Prevention is always cheaper. Encourage guests to scrape leftovers into the trash instead.
5. Wait to Use Your Dishwasher
Your dishwasher and garbage disposal typically share the same drain. So, even though it’s tempting (and often easier) to just load up the dishwasher straight after the meal, it’s best to wait. If the garbage disposal is running or already blocked, it can push that food waste back up into the dishwasher.
Nobody wants dirty water swirling around the clean plates, so give the drain a chance to clear before starting the dishwasher. If you notice the sink is draining more slowly than usual, it’s best to hold off altogether.
6. Keep Wet Wipes Out of the Toilet
Toilet paper is designed to dissolve quickly when it comes into contact with water. Wet wipes aren’t. Even the ones labeled 'flushable' tend to break down so slowly they can get stuck inside pipes. That’s why plumbers always say, 'Don’t flush them.'
Instead, place a small wastebasket with a lid in the bathroom with a clear note indicating that anything other than toilet paper is to be placed in there.
7. Cut Down on Shower Time
If you’re having guests stay over Thanksgiving weekend, try to be mindful who’s showering when and for how long. Few things tax water pressure and plumbing in your house, so if there are multiple showers occurring at once—or showers occurring while you’re trying to do other water-dependent tasks like dishwashing--it could mean a shortage of hot water.
A few other things that shouldn’t be flushed:
Cotton balls
Q-tips
Napkins or facial tissue (Kleenex)
Feminine products
Paper towels
Facial cleansing/makeup remover wipes
7. Cut down on shower time
Holiday guests drain water heaters fast, especially if they’re used to taking long showers back at home. Multiple long showers back-to-back mean not only does the hot water disappear fast, but so does the overall water pressure, especially if dishwashers are running and toilets are flushing at the same time.
The simplest fix here is to encourage guests to take shorter showers and not run the washing machine or dishwasher at the same time.
Smart bathroom services are helping families manage their water use more effectively, now accounting for just under half of the North American plumbing market, according to industry statistics. Until every home has those upgrades, the best way to prevent holiday plumbing problems is to pace out the shower schedule.
8. Watch for signs of plumbing issues
Plumbing disasters typically don’t happen out of nowhere. They’re usually the camel’s back breaking after weeks or months of minor, ignored problems. A drain that gurgles, water that takes way too long to clear, or a foul smell near the sink usually means the system is already partially clogged.
When you suddenly add the extra load of Thanksgiving cooking and guests, those small annoyances can turn into a plumbing emergency.
Pay attention to these early signs—they’re your plumbing system trying to warn you. Ignoring them could mean an expensive plumber callout halfway through Thanksgiving dinner. Spotting those problems early and fixing them saves homeowners stress and money during the holidays.
9. Keep a few emergency tools handy
Every household should keep a few basic tools on hand to handle minor plumbing problems. A plunger is a lifesaver for a clogged toilet. A drain snake works well for hair or gunk that’s slowing down a bathroom sink. An old bucket is perfect for catching drips under the counter until help arrives.
Of course, no tool kit replaces a professional. Even with preparation, emergencies can still happen, so it pays to know when it’s time to reach out to a plumbing pro.
When Should You Call a Plumber Over Thanksgiving?
Many homeowners wait until it’s too late to get help. The truth is, not many plumbing problems can be solved with a plunger and some duct tape. Knowing the limits of DIY can save both time and stress, especially during the holiday rush.
Your customers should be calling in a plumber if they run into:
A toilet that won’t unclog even after several attempts with a plunger.
A garbage disposal that keeps shutting off.
A kitchen sink backup that won’t drain, or drains extremely slowly.
A leak that gets much worse when water is in use.
A sudden drop in water pressure that’s noticeable during showering or using appliances.
These issues are more than annoying. They’re a signal that something is in deep trouble inside your plumbing system. If left unchecked, they can turn Thanksgiving fun into severe damage.
It’s always better to make the call early than face a flooded bathroom in the middle of dinner.
How Do Plumbers Handle the Increased Workload After Thanksgiving?
The holiday weekend and the infamous 'Brown Friday' can turn an empty plumbing schedule into a sudden, chaotic scramble. Phones light up with panicked homeowners, techs are racing across town, and every job is flagged as urgent.
For many plumbing contractors, it takes extra last-minute staffing, long hours, and close monitoring to keep up.
Plumbing software like ServiceTitan makes the Thanksgiving holiday rush much more manageable for contractors.
Instead of manually squeezing jobs into the calendar, ServiceTitan’s Scheduling Pro lets customers book online at any hour on your website, through social channels, or even directly from Google ads.
It captures appointments even during off-hours, while your team can see technician availability in real time. No double bookings, but no missed opportunities either.
Dispatching is another issue during the post-Thanksgiving Day rush. When emergency calls come in, CSRs need to know who’s free and where they’re located.
ServiceTitan’s Dispatch Pro provides a live map of every tech currently out in the field and can even pair technicians with the right skills to the right job. That means less time spent on the road and more time handling plumbing emergencies.
Meanwhile, office staff are having to field nonstop calls. ServiceTitan’s Call Booking Software puts everything CSRs need on one screen. Caller ID, customer history, property details, and even prompts to ask the right questions all appear on-screen to make intake accurate and quick.
Emergencies are unpredictable, even with the best of intentions and planning. Adjustable Capacity Planning from ServiceTitan provides dispatchers with real-time visibility into workloads, enabling them to hold space for urgent calls without overbooking. It keeps the schedule realistic while protecting time for jobs and customers that matter most.
With a bit of help from technology, the Thanksgiving surge doesn’t have to be chaos. It’s a chance to impress your customers when they need you the most.
Resources like our plumbing pricing guide help businesses set fair, consistent rates that protect margins even during high-pressure weeks. With ServiceTitan, plumbers can turn a stressful season into a profitable one.
Ready to turn these tips into action?
Over to You!
Thanksgiving is a time when plumbing systems face their toughest test. The right advice helps homeowners avoid emergencies, while plumbers who share these tips with their customers will stay top of mind long after the holiday ends.
Preparing customers, spotting problems early, and staying organized are the best ways to make the season less stressful and more rewarding for everyone.
With ServiceTitan, plumbing contractors get everything they need to thrive. Robust scheduling, smart dispatching, real-time tracking, inventory tools, and customer communication are just the beginning. It’s plumbing software designed to handle the holiday surges, deliver better service, and help your business grow all year round.
ServiceTitan Plumbing Software
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive plumbing business software solution built specifically to help service companies streamline their operations, boost revenue, and achieve growth. Our award-winning, cloud-based platform is trusted by more than 100,000+ contractors across the country.
