Cleaning specialists have sounded the alarm about a concealed threat that may be hiding in our drains during the holiday season. Preparing Christmas dinner can be a massive undertaking, but people often overlook the potential consequences for their homes.
According to experts, the surge in cooking during the festive season could be a “recipe for disaster” for household drains, with Google searches for “blocked drain” issues consistently peaking in December. Fatbergs, a mixture of fat, oil, grease, and other non-biodegradable materials, are the primary concern.
Filta explained fatbergs form in slower-moving areas of the main sewer network and accumulate over time, resulting in solid, concrete-like masses that can wreak havoc on drainage systems. With the extensive cooking that occurs during Christmas, there is a risk of inadvertently causing drainage problems if not addressed correctly.
Jonathan Christie, CEO and drainage expert at The Property Buying Company, cautions that fat, oil, and food waste from Christmas dinner preparations can lead to severe and costly drain blockages, with average repair bills ranging from £200 to £400. Fortunately, Jonathan offers a couple of budget-friendly tips, costing under £10, which could save you from an expensive call-out.
He explained: “The combination of turkey fat, roast potato oil, and other cooking residues can quickly harden in pipes, creating stubborn blockages that may lead to burst pipes. What starts as a festive feast can end up being a plumbing nightmare.”, reports the Express.
The experts have shed light on how the increased volume of cooking during Christmas can affect your drains. It’s typically due to substances like turkey fat, meat drippings, roasting oil from potatoes and vegetables, cream and butter from sauces, and food scraps being disposed of down the sink, which then solidify.
These contribute to the formation of fatbergs. To address this, they suggest a straightforward two-step method to prevent any fatberg problems.
Christie advises dealing with drain issues before they necessitate costly professional help, noting that blockages are more likely in cold weather. He advised: “Invest in a basic drain cleaner solution from your local supermarket. Using this before Christmas, and a few times over the winter can help prevent build-up and maintain good drain flow.”
Additionally, he mentioned that tackling the grime yourself is an option. “A metal coiled waste pipe cleaner, available from most hardware stores for around £5, can be incredibly effective at removing early and late stage blockages, indoors and outside where your drain will meet the main sewage line,” Christie added.
“This simple tool can save you hundreds in emergency plumber calls, and is most likely what they’ll charge you a small fortune for using themselves. You just unroll it, give the drain a good rodding and the job is done.”
How to Protect Your Drains This Christmas
If you want to stay on top of your drain health, the experts have shared some helpful tips on how to protect them.
- Never pour hot fat down the sink – let it cool and dispose of it in the bin
- Wipe greasy pans with kitchen paper before washing
- Use sink strainers to catch food particles
- Run hot water after using the sink to help prevent fat solidifying
- Consider collecting cooking oils in a container for proper disposal at local recycling centres
Christie said: “Prevention is always better than cure. Use these tips in conjunction with some drain cleaner and a little elbow grease of your own. These simple steps could save homeowners hundreds of pounds in emergency repairs during the festive season when plumber callout rates are often at their highest.”