Cleaning experts have warned of a hidden danger potentially lurking in our drains this festive season.
Cooking for Christmas dinner can be a mammoth task, but sometimes people can underestimate the impact it can have on our homes.
Experts are warning that the festive season’s cooking spree could be a “recipe for disaster” for household drains, with December consistently showing peak Google searches for “blocked drain” issues.
If you’re not familiar, fatbergs are a combination of fat, oil and grease and other non-biodegradable items.
According to Filta, fatbergs form within the slower moving parts of the main sewer network and build-up over time.
In terms of texture, fatbergs are not soft, they are solid masses with a texture similar to concrete, which can in turn, cause problems for your drainage systems.
With all the cooking that goes on at Christmas, you could accidentally find yourself with a drainage problem if the issue isn’t handled in the correct way.
Jonathan Christie, CEO & Drains Expert from The Property Buying Company, warns that the fat, oil, and food waste from Christmas dinner preparations can lead to serious and costly drain blockages, with repair bills averaging £200-£400.
But luckily, Jonathan is on hand with a couple of cheap tips that for under a tenner, could save you from a very expensive 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.”
So how does cooking your Christmas dinner impact your drains? The experts explained that the increased volume of cooking during the festive period is the main culprit.
This mainly happens when the likes of turkey fat and meat drippings, roasting oil from potatoes and vegetables, cream and butter from sauce preparations, and food scraps get thrown down the drain, solidifying over time.
The blockages ultimately contribute to the build up of fatbergs.
To combat this issue, the experts recommended a simple two-step tactic to stop any fatberg issues from arising.
Christie recommended tackling drain issues before they require expensive professional intervention – especially as colder weather makes drains block far easier.
The expert said: “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.”
However, it’s also possible just to get rid of the built-up grim by yourself.
“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,” said Christie.
“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.
- 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.”
