CINCINNATI, OH - With Thanksgiving on the way, Roto-Rooter is bracing for its busiest time of the year. Incoming service calls will surge 50 percent above average this Black Friday. The industry-wide day-after Thanksgiving rush is called “Brown Friday” by plumbers because it overwhelms American drains nationwide.
But here's what homeowners need to know: waiting until after disaster strikes is a mistake.
"Turkey grease, starchy side dishes, and holiday guests all converge to create perfect storm conditions for backups and clogs," said Paul Abrams, spokesman for Roto-Rooter. "What many homeowners don't realize is that their drains are already partially compromised. The holiday rush is just the trigger. The smart move is preventative service before guests arrive - not emergency calls when sewage backs up into your home."
The Brown Friday Reality
During the four-day Thanksgiving weekend, Roto-Rooter averages a 21 percent surge in service requests. The most common culprits:
Turkey drippings and cooking grease that solidify inside pipes like candle wax
Rice, pasta, and starchy foods that break down into a clogging gel
Overtaxed systems from multiple showers, toilet flushes, and laundry loads with holiday guests
Tree root intrusion in main sewer lines - a silent problem that erupts when drain volume increases
A holiday sewage backup isn't just inconvenient. It can spoil a precious family holiday and ruin your celebration.
Roto-Rooter's Brown Friday Initiative: Open 24/7, and that includes Thanksgiving.
Roto-Rooter's 7,000 service technicians nationwide are working and and on-call through the entire holiday weekend, including Thanksgiving Day itself, to handle emergency calls. But the company's strategy is as proactive, as it is reactive.
"Schedule preventative sewer or drain cleaning now instead of emergency calls later," Abrams recommends. Customers can book services through November at rotorooter.com or by calling 1-800-GET-ROTO. Many branches are offering pre-Thanksgiving maintenance packages to help homeowners avoid the rush and potential disasters.
For those facing emergency situations during the holiday, Roto-Rooter guarantees a rapid response and no surprise service fees.
Giving Back This Thanksgiving
As part of its commitment to communities nationwide, Roto-Rooter is celebrating its seventh annual Giving Thanks Food Drive throughout November. Customers can save $55 with the donation of a non-perishable item to our Giving Thanks Food Drive through participating Roto-Rooter branch offices or at rotorooter.com/fooddrive.
Schedule Your Pre-Holiday Service Now
Don't let Thanksgiving turn into a "Brown Friday" disaster. Homeowners can:
Schedule preventative drain cleaning at rotorooter.com or 1-800-GET-ROTO
Get emergency plumbing services available Thanksgiving Day and throughout the weekend
Learn clog-prevention tips at rotorooter.com/blog
With 24-hour availability and service in most major U.S. markets, Roto-Rooter keeps homes running smoothly - before, during, and after the holidays.
