Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and celebration—but for many homeowners in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati, it’s also the busiest time of year for emergency plumbing calls.
From clogged kitchen sinks to overwhelmed garbage disposals and backed-up toilets, holiday plumbing issues can turn your gathering into a costly mess. Fortunately, most of these problems are completely preventable with a few smart steps.
Whether you’re hosting the big meal or just prepping your home for guests, here’s how to keep your drains—and your holiday—running smoothly.
Table of Contents
1. Why Thanksgiving Triggers So Many Plumbing Emergencies
Plumbers across the country call the day after Thanksgiving “Brown Friday” for a reason. It’s one of the busiest days of the year for plumbing services. Here’s why:
- Increased kitchen activity—Heavy cooking, dishwashing, and food prep all strain your drains and disposal.
- Grease and food scraps—Fat, oils, and starchy leftovers clog pipes quickly when rinsed down the drain.
- Guest bathroom overuse—More people in the house means more water use and higher chance of toilet clogs.
- Old or slow drains—If your plumbing is already sluggish, a holiday gathering can push it over the edge.
If your home is already showing signs of drainage issues—slow sink drains, gurgling noises, or occasional clogs—don’t wait until guests arrive. A quick inspection or drain cleaning now could save your holiday weekend.
2. What NOT to Put Down the Garbage Disposal
Not all food scraps are disposal-friendly. Some items may seem harmless going in, but they can cause buildup, blockages, or damage to the disposal itself.
Avoid putting these items down your disposal or kitchen sink:
- Fats, oils, and grease – These cool and harden inside your pipes, creating major clogs.
- Potato peels and starchy vegetables – These turn into a thick paste that gums up blades and traps other debris.
- Bones or fruit pits – Too hard for the blades and motor to handle.
- Pasta and rice – They expand in water and create sticky blockages.
- Coffee grounds and eggshells – Fine particles clump together and settle in pipes.
Instead, scrape plates into the trash or compost bin, and wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing.
3. Guest-Proof Your Bathrooms (and Your Plumbing)
If you’re expecting overnight guests or a full house, your bathrooms are about to work overtime. Here’s how to prep them:
- Place a wastebasket near the toilet to discourage flushing of wipes or hygiene products.
- Keep a plunger visible and accessible in guest bathrooms.
- Check for running toilets or slow drains ahead of time and address them early.
- Remind guests (nicely) what not to flush, especially kids or visitors unfamiliar with your plumbing.
Even minor clogs can lead to messy overflows when bathrooms get heavy use—especially in older homes or homes with low-flow toilets.
4. When to Call a Plumber Before the Holiday
If your plumbing is already acting up—or hasn’t been professionally cleaned or inspected in a while—don’t wait for a full backup. Scheduling service before Thanksgiving helps avoid mid-meal emergencies.
Here’s when to call in a pro:
- Slow-draining sinks or tubs
- Garbage disposal making odd noises
- Backed-up kitchen or bathroom drains
- Repeated toilet clogs or gurgling
- Unpleasant odors coming from drains
At A+ Services, we provide pre-holiday drain cleanings, garbage disposal repairs, and plumbing inspections to help families in Covington, Florence, Independence, and throughout Greater Cincinnati host confidently.
5. Emergency Help If Things Go Wrong on Thanksgiving
Despite your best efforts, plumbing surprises can still happen. If they do, quick action is key.
What to do in a plumbing emergency:
- Shut off water to the affected fixture to prevent overflow.
- Avoid using chemical drain cleaners, which can damage pipes and disposals.
- Call for professional help if you can’t resolve the issue with a plunger or reset button.
A+ Services is on call 24/7 over the holidays with licensed, background-checked plumbers ready to help. Whether it’s a clogged drain, a broken disposal, or a burst pipe, we’ll get things flowing again—fast.
Hosting this Thanksgiving? Don’t let plumbing issues steal the spotlight.
Call A+ Services to schedule a seasonal drain check or kitchen plumbing inspection before the guests arrive.