A leading plumbing expert has issued a stark warning to UK households enjoying the festive season, urging them to keep three popular Christmas beverages well away from their kitchen sinks to avoid serious blockages and potential plumbing disasters.
The Festive Drinks That Threaten Your Pipes
Mike Flook, a plumbing specialist from MyBuilder.com, has identified beloved seasonal treats including Baileys, mulled wine, and coffee as major culprits for blocked drains. He explains that these drinks, along with traditional Christmas cooking by-products like gravy and leftover meat fat, fall into the category of Fats, Oils, and Greases (FOGs).
"If poured directly down the sink, they can line drainage pipes and cause blockages as they cool down and solidify," Flook cautioned. This process can create stubborn obstructions that are difficult and expensive to remove.
Why FOGs Cause a Festive Plumbing Nightmare
Liv Reid, a kitchen expert at Prestige Granite, echoed the concerns, specifically highlighting mulled wine. She noted that the sugary, spiced drink can turn into a sticky, gloopy substance once inside your pipes, creating a perfect storm for a blockage.
Mike Flook elaborated on the severity, stating: "FOGs are really problematic for our drains. And it's not a problem that's easy to solve without a professional." He recounted DIY attempts that went wrong, where homeowners trying to fix blockages themselves often reassembled pipework incorrectly, leading to leaks. In one case, a customer caused such damage that an entire double bowl waste kit needed replacement.
Accidental Spills and How to Avoid a Christmas Catastrophe
The advice is particularly urgent during the holiday period. Finding an available tradesperson for an emergency call-out on Christmas Day can be challenging and often comes with a premium price. Furthermore, disposing of FOGs incorrectly contributes to the growing national issue of 'fatbergs' in the sewer system.
The recommended method for disposal is simple: if you can't avoid wastage, let the substance cool, wrap it securely, and place it in the general waste bin.
Should you accidentally pour a FOG like Baileys or gravy down the drain, immediate action is key. Run hot water for several minutes. The heat can help keep fats in liquid form until they flush through your pipes into the main sewer. Adding soap to the hot water can help break down the fats gently. Experts strongly advise against using chemical drain unblockers, which are often ineffective on FOGs and can damage pipes. A simple plunger may be more useful.
Flook shared a memorable example of the consequences, recalling a customer who poured candle wax down a sink. "The candlewax set solidly inside the trap. So when it was taken out, it was actually the shape of a candle again! You could've literally reused it!"
The core message from professionals is clear: this Christmas, keep FOGs out of your sink to ensure your holidays aren't ruined by a plumbing emergency.
