Busiest Day Of The Year For Plumbers
by Kristen Johanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- This is known as "drain season" for plumbers.
"This is predictably the busiest time of year for us, every year," says Gary Olbert, with Horizon Services. "It's the craziest time of year."
Yvonne Armstrong is one of their customers, in need after a feast for 20 people.
"I had my sister, my sister-in-laws, my nieces, my nephews," said Armstrong. "It was a really wonderful Thanksgiving."
With all that food, her drain completely clogged up.
"All of a sudden, I noticed the water wouldn't go down the drain," she said. "It started bubbling up, and I turned on the garbage disposal and it just wouldn't go down."
A common problem, said Olbert, on what is known as the busiest day of the year for plumbers.
"We are running several hundred calls today alone. Similar to this one."
The culprit to Armstrong's problem?
Collard greens.
"So obviously with this time of year, and the holidays, everyone is flushing things down the drain," said Olbert. "The craziest thing we've ever seen: an entire meal has basically come up. We've had turkey bones, stuffing, mashed potatoes, all in this one big clump."
Drain specialist Rich Salamak pushed a plumbing snake through the copper pipes, clearing the way for water to run through.
"Our job is to make sure we have enough guys and techs ready on the road for when this happens," said Olbert.
On a regular day, each drain specialist typically makes about four house calls a day, but during the holiday season, it's up to six a day.
"It's good for us, because we know it, we plan for it and we get the guys ready for it," Olbert said.
Armstrong says she can finally cleanup from the Thanksgiving feast.
"I am so happy because I can get my kitchen cleaned up, get my dishwasher going."
