The day after Thanksgiving is often the busiest day for plumbers across the country.

Active kitchens often result in added grease and food in garbage disposals, and added guests require extra showers and more toilet flushes.

Roto-Rooter estimates its calls will increase approximately 50 percent over the typical Friday and 21 percent overall for the weekend.

Here are some tips to avoid a call to the plumber this weekend:

* Fat and cooking oil solidify in pipes. Instead of pouring them down the drain, wipe the grease from pots with paper towels and dispose of them in the trash.

* Avoid putting poultry skins, celery, fruit and potato peels in garbage disposals - they can't grind the items very well.

* Turn the water on when putting food into the garbage disposal. If you do it afterward, it's too late.

* Wait 10 minutes between showers to allow your system to drain properly.

* Cotton balls, swabs, hair and facial scrub pads don't dissolve in drains and cause clogs. Don't flush them.