UK households drinking Baileys, mulled wine or coffee over Christmas issued warning

A plumber has issued a warning to everyone who’s drinking Baileys, mulled wine or coffee over the Christmas period. He urged households to never pour those types of drinks down he drain as it can lead to disastrous blockages.

Mike Flook, a plumbing expert from MyBuilder.com, explained that items such as gravy, cooking oil, and even a Christmas favourite, Baileys, are classified as 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.” Liv Reid, kitchen expert at Prestige Granite, also warned against pouring mulled wine down the sink, as spiced beverages can create a sticky mess “once inside your pipes”.

Plumber Mike Flook said: “FOGs are really problematic for our drains. And it’s not a problem that’s easy to solve without a professional.

“Some sink waste kits can be a bit like a jigsaw, and I’ve come across many situations where customers have attempted to unblock a sink themselves and then ended up putting the washers back in different places, which then causes a leak. Recently I had a customer who ended up causing unnecessary damage, and I had to replace the entire double bowl waste kit.

“I also dealt with a customer that had decided to pour candlewax down their sink, and 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!

“Disposing of FOGs down the sink in the run up to Christmas could lead to a disaster over the holidays. Should you have any emergency issues over the festive period, you might find it harder to find a tradesperson that’s available, and so may have less options when it comes to pricing. And you’re contributing to our nation’s fatbergs, which is a significant issue in our sewers.

“It’s always best to err on the side of caution – if you think a product might be a FOG, do your best to avoid wastage – and if that’s not possible, wrap up the excess product and pop it in the bin. The last thing you need is blocked pipes on Christmas Day!

“Should you accidentally pour a FOG down the sink, immediately run the hot water. Heat from the water can help to dissolve grease and fats, and keep them in liquid form until they are out of your pipes and in the sewer. Leave the hot water running for several minutes to be safe. Adding soap to hot water is a simple and gentle way to help remove the blockages, as it can break down the fats without damaging your pipes. Don’t use chemicals. Drain unblockers are often ineffective against FOGs, and can cause damage to your pipes in the process. A simple plunger can actually be more effective than chemicals.”