Thanksgiving Plumbing Predicament - Blue Ribbon Plumbing

Every year, as Thanksgiving approaches, families across the United States eagerly anticipate the joyous occasion of gathering around the table for a sumptuous feast. It’s a time to give thanks, share cherished moments, and indulge in the mouthwatering dishes that have become synonymous with this holiday. However, while the Thanksgiving meal itself is a source of great delight, it also unwittingly ushers in a less pleasant tradition – “Brown Friday,” the busiest day of the year for plumbing professionals.

The aftermath of Thanksgiving has plumbers working tirelessly, and it’s not just a myth; it’s a fact. One might wonder, what makes the day after Thanksgiving such a plumbing predicament? The answer lies in the very essence of the holiday itself – the food. As home chefs embark on their culinary quests to prepare a grand Thanksgiving meal, a cascade of food scraps and leftovers inevitably finds its way into the kitchen sink and, perhaps most importantly, the garbage disposal.

Consider the turkey drippings, that viscous, golden liquid rendered from the roasted bird. At first, it may seem harmless when poured down the drain, but as it cools within the pipes, it undergoes a transformation akin to the solidification of candle wax. This transformation, caused by the congealing of grease, can create a sticky mess within your plumbing system.

Rice and pasta, often accompanying the holiday meal, present their own set of challenges. These starch-laden staples have a peculiar property: they swell when they come into contact with water. Worse still, they can degrade into a starchy gel that clings to the inner walls of your pipes, threatening to cause blockages of epic proportions.

Adding to this culinary conundrum are the remnants of the meal – poultry skin, leftover dressing, vegetable peels, and the occasional bone. These seemingly innocent ingredients can become formidable foes in the world of plumbing when they coalesce to create clogs and obstructions.

Moreover, Thanksgiving often entails hosting overnight guests who contribute to the increased demand on your Myrtle Beach plumbing system. Showers, baths, toilet flushes, and even laundry loads are all part of the festivities. Your house may already harbor partially clogged drains that you were blissfully unaware of until the holiday guests arrived, placing even more stress on the system.

In some cases, the underlying issue may extend beyond the kitchen sink or bathroom drain. Tree roots, ever on the hunt for moisture, can infiltrate the main sewer line buried beneath your front yard. These invasive roots become traps for grease, food scraps, and wet wipes from your drains, culminating in a dire scenario where every drain in your home backs up with raw sewage – a messy and unpleasant ordeal that can quickly tarnish the holiday spirit.

Often, clogged drains go unnoticed until holiday guests arrive and overwhelm the system. In the hustle and bustle of a house filled with people and the frantic host trying to ensure everyone has a memorable Thanksgiving, plumbing problems become a pressing issue. It’s worth noting that nearly every classic Thanksgiving dish seems to have a penchant for causing drain clogs, adding to the challenge.

Protecting Your Plumbing and Holiday Happiness

While the prospect of Thanksgiving plumbing woes may seem daunting, there are practical steps you can take to prevent these issues and safeguard your holiday festivities:

Say No to Grease in Drains

Make it a rule never to cooking oils or fats down your drains. These substances solidify within pipes. Instead, wipe grease from pots and pans using paper towers and dispose them in the trash.

Dispose of Food Wisely

Be cautious about what you put in the garbage disposal. Stringy, fibrous, or starchy waste, like poultry skins, celery, fruit peels, and potato peels, should be avoided as they can’t be adequately broken down.

Operate the Disposal Correctly

Ensure the disposal is running when you put food into it; don’t let it accumulate before switching it on.

Space Out Showers

If your home is hosting weekend guests, allow at least ten minutes between showers to give slow drains a chance to do their job.

Toilet Etiquette

Never flush items like wet wipes down the toilet, as they won’t dissolve and can lead to clogs. Provide a waste basket in the bathroom for proper disposal.

Preemptive Plumbing Check

Consider addressing any plumbing concerns before the holiday season and the arrival of guests. If plumbing emergencies during the holidays, don’t hesitate to contact a professional emergency plumber. Sometimes, minor plumbing problems can escalate into full-blown catastrophes if not handled correctly.

By following these straightforward tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of plumbing disasters during your Thanksgiving celebration and keep the holiday spirit alive.

Taking Preemptive Action

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and joy, and you don’t want plumbing problems to put a damper on your holiday festivities. Instead of waiting until Thanksgiving Day to deal with potential plumbing issues, consider being proactive.

If you suspect that your sewer might be partially clogged or if you’re uncertain about the condition of your plumbing, why not have a professional inspect and address the situation before the holiday arrives? This proactive approach can help you avoid a plumbing catastrophe on Thanksgiving day.

While the day after Thanksgiving may be referred to as “Black Friday” in the retail world, it’s affectionately known as “Brown Friday” for plumbers. It’s the day when plumbing contractors in Myrtle Beach nationwide are hard at work, battling clogs and ensuring that households can resume their holiday celebrations without disruption.

Don’t let plumbing problems steal the spotlight on your Thanksgiving Day. Follow these tips to keep your plumbing in good condition during the holiday season. Remember, it’s always better to be proactive and prevent a disaster by hiring a plumber in Myrtle Beach than to deal with a messy situation when you should be enjoying the festivities.