Drainage specialists are sounding the alarm about a concealed threat that may be lurking in our drains this holiday season. Preparing Christmas dinner can be a monumental task, but people often underestimate its impact on their homes.
According to experts, the festive cooking frenzy could be a “recipe for disaster” for household drains, with December consistently showing a surge in Google searches for “blocked drain” issues. Fatbergs, a combination of fat, oil, and grease, as well as other non-biodegradable items, can form in the slower-moving parts of the main sewer network and build up over time.
These solid masses, similar in texture to concrete, can cause problems for drainage systems. With the extensive cooking that occurs during Christmas, you may inadvertently encounter a drainage problem if not handled correctly.
Jonathan Christie, CEO and Drains Expert from The Property Buying Company, cautions that fat, oil, and food waste from Christmas dinner preparations can lead to severe and costly drain blockages, with repair bills averaging £200-£400. Fortunately, Jonathan offers a couple of inexpensive tips, costing under £10, that could save you from a pricey call-out.
He said: “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 primary cause of this issue, according to experts, is the increased volume of cooking during the festive period. This occurs when items such as turkey fat and meat drippings, roasting oil from potatoes and vegetables, cream and butter from sauce preparations, and food scraps are thrown down the drain, solidifying over time and contributing to the formation of fatbergs.
To address this issue, experts recommend a simple two-step approach to prevent fatberg problems from arising. Christie advises addressing drain issues before they require costly professional intervention, especially during colder weather when drains are more prone to blockages.
He recommends: “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.”
Alternatively, it is possible to remove built-up grime on your own. Christie suggests using a metal coiled waste pipe cleaner, available at most hardware stores for around £5, which can be highly effective in removing early and late-stage blockages, both indoors and outdoors where your drain meets the main sewage line.
“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 help tips on how to protect them. 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.”