Brown Friday: Valley plumbing expert explains how to avoid plumbing issues day after Thanksgiving
Nov 29, 2024, 6:30 AM
A Valley plumbing expert says to beware of Brown Friday. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — Many have heard of Black Friday, but one Valley plumbing expert warns of avoiding Brown Friday in your household this year.
The Thanksgiving holiday provides ample opportunities for plumbing issues, but Brian Garrison, owner of Arizona Plumbing Expert Services, says there are things you can do to avoid backed up pipes and problems.
“Preparations are key,” Garrison told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Chris and Joe Show on Monday. “Whether it’s preparing for having parties and hosting guests and everything.”
What can Valley residents do to avoid Brown Friday?
Brown Friday lends itself to the perception that plumbing problems are mainly from toilets, but concerns aren’t limited to that.
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Because Thanksgiving typically requires lots of home cooking, Garrison said it’s important to not put bad foods and liquids down your drain.
“The things we put down our drains are a lot of stuff we should minimize,” Garrison said. “Even greasy or starchy, you don’t want to put down your drain. Rice, bread and noodles, they all expand in water, so it really clogs up your drain.”
Conserving hot water and keeping your water heater clean, especially if guests are staying in your house, are other point of emphasis for Garrison.
Adding a booster will increase your hot water capacity, helping to avoid a Brown Friday.
“We abuse them all year long, not just during the holidays,” Garrison said. “So when you have guests over, you want to make sure they’re clean. Get them hydrojetted and you can even scope them out with a camera to make sure they’re clean.”
Plumbing issues such as clogged toilets are, of course, always a concern.
“That’s a big one over the holidays for those that have septic,” Garrison said. “Demand increases and most septic tanks only hold a certain amount of flow per day. You want to make sure you’re cleaning that filter and when you’re pumping that every 3 to 5 years, cleaning the filter every year and using enzymes.”
