Introduction

Edmond will be celebrating Thanksgiving this week. Your turkey will be thawed by Thursday morning, your pies will have been baked on the 27th, and there seems to be an endless number of people on your guest list.

But has your plumbing system prepared for your guests?

There are many potential plumbing-related problems that may occur in the week leading up to Thanksgiving in Edmond, which can cause a sink to back up or a toilet to clog, ruining your family's holiday.

This article will outline how to prepare your plumbing system for the holidays, explain the most common plumbing related issues that could ruin your holiday celebrations, and provide you with tips to ensure that all of your plumbing systems remain functional throughout the holiday season.

Technician inspecting kitchen sink in Edmond home before Thanksgiving dinner.

Why Plumbing Problems Spike During Thanksgiving in Edmond

Thanksgiving is the second biggest day in plumbing. Service calls are up by 50% according to Roto-Rooter on the day after Thanksgiving which is why they call it "Brown Friday."

Combine all that with Edmond's unique blend of holiday stress and Oklahoma red clay soil, plus the many years old piping system under your home, and our cold winter temperatures, add the grease from all the extra cooking, the additional people in your home, and the added pressure from overworked garbage disposal, and you have a perfect storm.

Local plumber checking Edmond sewer line near residential home.

Common Thanksgiving Plumbing Issues and How to Prevent Them

The Turkey Grease Trap: What Not to Pour Down Your Sink

Holiday cooking creates a lot of grease. Many people incorrectly think that running extremely hot water will prevent the grease from becoming solidified in their pipes. It does not. Grease becomes as hard as candle wax in your pipes.

Instead: Put the grease in a can or jar. After it cools throw it away in the trash. Have a sink strainer to capture the solids.

Q: May I put food scraps in my garbage disposer during thanksgiving?
A: No. Do not send fibrous (celery), starchy (potatoes) or greasy materials down your garbage disposer. They may clog your disposal.

“Brown Friday” Explained: Why the Day After is the Worst

Plumbers in Edmond are preparing for an onslaught of sink blockages, toilet back-ups, and overwhelmed hot water tanks immediately following the Friday after Thanksgiving. Many traditional holiday dishes can contribute to clogged pipes (mashed potatoes) or clog causing items (gravy), and don't become one of the masses of people who experience post-holiday panic & chaos.

The Guest Bathroom Mistake Most Hosts Make

Have too many guests and not enough trash cans? When people don’t have a place to dispose of wipes or hygiene products, they flush them causing severe clogs.

Fix:

Place visible trash bins in every bathroom.
Stock plenty of toilet paper.
Add signs if needed: “Please don’t flush wipes!”

Common Misconception: Ice Sharpens Disposal Blades

Throwing ice cubes in the garbage disposal won’t “sharpen” anything. It may help clean gunk off, but it doesn’t solve clog risks.

FAQ: What do I do if my disposal jams mid-dinner?
Answer: Hit the reset button underneath. If that fails, call a local Edmond plumber.

Close-up of garbage disposal warning sign in Edmond kitchen during holiday prep.

What You Can Do Before Guests Arrive

Here’s what you can do to avoid a plumbing emergency during the holidays:

Avoid pouring grease down the drain. Use a container instead.
Run hot water before and after using the disposal. Helps flush small food particles.
Space out showers. This reduces strain on water heaters and drains.
Empty your disposal before dinner. Don’t start the meal with a half-full grinder.
Have tools ready. A plunger, trash bins, and drain cleaner on hand can be lifesavers.

Pro Tip: Edmond’s soil shifts with moisture, stressing pipes over time. If you’ve had foundation issues, get your plumbing inspected before heavy holiday use.

Homeowner in Edmond using plunger on bathroom toilet before Thanksgiving guests arrive.

Why This Matters More in Edmond

Edmond’s clay-based soils will expand as well as contract, which creates pressure on piping systems beneath ground level. When added to the cold temperatures of November, a water system is at its limits of performance prior to the arrival of holiday guests.

In fact, The City of Edmond has a FOG (Fats, Oils & Grease) disposal program that encourages residents to dispose of greases through the trash rather than flushing them down the drain to protect sewer lines.

For those residing in areas with aging plumbing systems (central Edmond), this increases the potential for damage. In addition to major failures, even minor overflows from backed-up sewage could potentially flow into streets or local storm drains.

Protect yourself by scheduling a pre-holiday plumbing check or an appointment for grease disposal services.

Local plumbing service van in Edmond neighborhood with festive decorations.

Conclusion

Let’s recap the key ways to avoid Thanksgiving plumbing disasters in Edmond:

Keep grease out of the drains.
Use strainers and trash bins.
Prepare your bathroom for guests.
Space out water use.
Inspect pipes in older homes or with shifting soil.

Hosting should be about family, not flooded kitchens. Take a few steps now, and enjoy your holiday without the stress.

Need help? Contact A&T Mechanical before the guests arrive.

Written by A&T Mechanical | Updated November 2025

Holiday Hosting Woes: Avoid Thanksgiving Plumbing Disasters in Edmond