Black Friday: Busy day for plumbers, costly for you

Dalvin Brown | USA TODAY

When you're in the midst of preparing your family's Thanksgiving feast, it might seem perfectly acceptable to wash a few of those loose bits of turkey, stray macaroni noodles and potato skins from the garlicky mash down the tubes.

But, as many can attest, you'll regret it.

As scores of people line up to take advantage of doorbuster deals on Black Friday, thousands of others across the nation will be frantically making calls to residential plumbers for help clearing up their Thanksgiving Day clogs.

Just ask Arthur Arseneau, 40, a licensed plumber at Around the Clock Plumbing LLC in Huntsville, Alabama.

"The main problems we see is stopped-up kitchen sinks followed by clogged bathroom toilets," Arseneau said. "Usually because of all the cooking and overuse on Thanksgiving."

He said on a typical day, Around the Clock Plumbing will receive about 15 calls. But on Black Friday and around Thanksgiving, that number can triple.

"We have seven plumbers who are constantly making stops. We've had over 20 calls already about clogged pipes today, and it's not even lunchtime yet," Arseneau said. "Today we might get up to 50 calls."

So, when do plumbers get to enjoy their holiday?

"After the job's done," Arseneau said.

"Sometimes we work until 9 o'clock at night, but we won't stop until all the pipes are unclogged. We don't ever push anyone off," he said.

The plumbing professional offered these clog preventing tips:

Don't pour grease down the drain. It can harden inside the pipes.

The disposal isn't made for everything. Avoid large scraps of food.

Don't toss paper towels down the toilet.

Use the trash can if you're unsure of whether or not it can go down the drain.

More: Here's where to score Thanksgiving and Black Friday freebies

More: Try something new this Thanksgiving from our ultimate Thanksgiving recipe compilation.

"In my home, the only thing I put down the sink is water," said Eric Holzhauer, who owns Big E's Plumbing in Birmingham, Alabama. "As for everything else, that's what the garbage can is for."

Holzhauer said a typical house call starts at $125 for simple clogs.

"We also have a small trip charge. Most jobs can be done within an hour, but if we have to go under the sink or if it takes longer, that's an extra charge. Sometimes, it's so bad that we have to go on the roof, that'll cost you extra."

Blerim Malota, a 47-year-old licensed plumber in New York City, suspects that this holiday will be busier than previous years.

"There's cold weather heading our way. People will be calling about frozen pipes, or they'll be turning on their boiler for the first time this season. That's when you usually discover a problem," Malota said.

He said service calls start at $175. "They can up to a thousand dollars if we have to change circulating pumps. Those are expensive," he said.

He said that all the extra business is exciting, but "I do feel bad for the people who will have to call us, though."

Follow Dalvin Brown on Twitter: @Dalvin_Brown