Brown Friday: Yelp Reveals the 20 Most Clogged Cities in the US

As the holiday hosting season approaches, nothing can derail your get-together with loved ones faster than an embarrassing plumbing emergency. From clogged sinks to overflowing toilets, "Brown Friday" - the day following Thanksgiving - is consistently among the plumbing industry's busiest times of the year. Yelp data revealed that searches for "emergency plumbing" surged 65% during the 2023 Brown Friday time period, when comparing searches from the two weeks before Thanksgiving Day to those on Thanksgiving Day and the two weeks after in 2023. Searches for "24-hour plumbers" were higher on Thanksgiving Day than any other day in November 2023.*

With Brown Friday quickly approaching, Yelp is unveiling the top cities facing plumbing predicaments during this time period, along with expert tips on how to holiday-proof your home to help people prepare for guests and find trusted plumbing and service professionals when they need them most.

Los Angeles crowned "clogged capital" of the US, followed by Miami

After analyzing millions of data points on Yelp for plumbing-related searches - including clogged toilets, drains, and more - Los Angeles topped the list as the clogged capital of the U.S. The city saw a 73% increase in plumbing searches during the Brown Friday time frame, significantly outpacing any other city on the list. Searches rose sharply in Los Angeles, particularly for services like "plumbing repair" (up 400%), "affordable plumbing" (up 300%), "drain cleaning services" (up 175%), and "emergency plumbing" (up 100%).

Cities from coast to coast experienced the Brown Friday rush. Rounding out the top five cities were Miami (up 37%); Nashville, TN (up 26%); Sacramento, CA (up 24%); and Baltimore (up 23%).**

Some cities had more urgent plumbing needs than others, as Yelp regional data shows notable upticks in searches for 24-hour plumbing services. While New York City didn't break the top clogged cities list, in the city that never sleeps, the plumbing issues don't end either. During the Brown Friday time period, New York City searches specifically for "24 hour plumber" rose by 64%.

"Whether you're hosting a Thanksgiving feast or game day watch party, plumbing-related emergencies can flush the fun out of any get together fast," said Tara Lewis, Yelp's Trend Expert and VP of Community Expansion. "To keep your celebrations on track through Brown Friday and beyond, Yelp can connect you with trusted services professionals who are responsive, reliable, and ready to tackle any plumbing or home issues during the holidays and beyond."

Yelp's Trend Expert reveals holiday home preparation tips

While emergencies can happen, a little prep work can ensure the only thing overflowing in your home this season is holiday joy. Yelp's Trend Expert Tara Lewis has compiled a list of essential tips to prevent plumbing issues during the busy holiday season and throughout the year.

• Toss leftovers in the trash, not the sink: To prevent clogs, make sure to scrape food off dishes before placing them in the dishwasher, and use a sink strainer to catch any debris. If you compost, learn what scraps from cooking and baking should be composted versus thrown in the trash.
• Check for leaks: Before the festivities begin, take a moment to inspect faucets, toilets, and under-sink areas for any signs of leaks. Consider having a professional plumber conduct an inspection to identify potential issues and perform necessary maintenance. Addressing these issues early can save you from bigger headaches later on.
• Know your shut-off valves: Familiarize yourself with the location of your main water shut-off valve and any local shut-off valves for sinks and toilets. In case of an emergency, you'll be able to quickly stop the flow of water and minimize damage.
• Toilet paper only, please!: Put up a friendly sign to remind guests about what can and cannot be flushed. This simple step can help prevent accidental clogs and keep your plumbing system running smoothly.
• Avoid a kitchen nightmare: Holiday cooking can lead to excess grease and oil, and proper disposal of it is essential. Instead of pouring drippings from your Thanksgiving turkey down the drain, collect grease in a container and dispose of it safely in the trash once it cools and solidifies.
• Spread out water usage: Try to stagger tasks and allow time between dishwashing, laundry, and showering, to avoid overloading the plumbing system.
• Check the weather: If freezing temperatures are expected, you can prevent potential pipe issues by allowing faucets to drip slightly. This helps ensure water continues to circulate and reduces the risk of freezing pipes.
• Find your holiday hero with Yelp's Request a Quote: Yelp's Request a Quote feature can help you schedule pre-holiday services or address last-minute issues. Request a Quote allows you to see a service pro's typical response time, and request and compare quotes from multiple businesses at once, helping you quickly find the right pro during the holiday rush.

Find the right pro for every home challenge

Plumbing isn't the only area in the home that can cause issues that dampen holiday cheer. From HVAC specialists to pest control pros and home cleaners, Yelp's Request a Quote feature can help you find and hire the right service pro for your needs and budget. You can hire with confidence by looking for a business backed by Yelp Guaranteed, a satisfaction-guarantee program that offers you up to $2,500 back in the event something goes wrong with your project when you use Request a Quote, providing you with peace of mind during the process. Not sure where to start? Check out Yelp Assistant, a conversational AI feature that helps efficiently describe your home problem and match you with qualified local businesses for the job.

Methodology

*Yelp identified trends within searches by measuring the frequency of the phrases mentioned per million searches on Yelp, comparing searches in the two weeks prior to Thanksgiving Day to searches made on Thanksgiving Day and two weeks following in 2023.

**We analyzed searches tied to keywords that describe common plumbing issues searched during the Brown Friday time period, comparing searches in the two weeks prior to Thanksgiving Day to searches made on Thanksgiving Day and two weeks following in 2023.