Winter feasts are filled with rich dishes that are perfect for the cold season. But those indulgent meals are a major cause of clogged drains.
British plumbing experts have shared which food waste should never be poured down the sink. Among them: leftover gravy, the Daily Mail reports.
The rich flavor of good gravy comes from its combination of fat and flour. Therefore, it poses a double threat for potential clogs.
Mike Fluke, an expert from the construction portal MyBuilder.com, warns: “Pouring fats and oils down the sink can lead to disaster during the holidays.”
Mr. Fluke says remnants of many foods typically consumed during festive occasions are responsible for sink blockages. These include coffee grounds, meat fat, and even residue from creamy liqueurs like Baileys.
As for coffee, while its grounds are not a fatty substance, they are one of the main causes of clogs. The grounds absorb excess fats and clump together, creating blockages that are difficult to remove, even for professionals.
It’s also worth remembering: if you pour fat down the sink during the holidays, it can be a costly mistake. Calling a plumber in an emergency during this time can cost about four times more than usual.
What’s the solution?
Use coffee grounds as fertilizer by mixing them into garden soil. If you don’t have a garden, collect them and throw them in the trash.
If you accidentally spill greasy liquid down the sink, turn on the hot water tap as soon as possible. This will dissolve the fat and send it down the drain in liquid form. Mr. Fluke recommends keeping the hot water running for at least a few minutes.
A gentle method for clearing clogs is to add soap to the hot water. However, avoid aggressive chemical substances. “A simple plunger can be even more effective than chemical solutions,” says Mr. Fluke.
Overall, specialists advise potential clients not to attempt DIY fixes. Often, people try to solve sink clogs themselves and head to home improvement stores to buy special products for unclogging.
“Some sink unclogging kits are like puzzles; I’ve often encountered situations where clients tried to clear their sinks themselves and then improperly installed seals, leading to leaks,” Mr. Fluke notes.
Mr. Fluke also recalled cases where washing grease down the drain left a greasy film that coated the inner surfaces of pipes along with other waste. Over time, this contributed to the formation of notorious “fatbergs,” which create numerous problems for sewage systems in large cities.
These accumulations of oils, fats, plastics, and other waste can weigh hundreds of tons. The largest such artifact ever found in London measured 250 meters long and weighed 130 tons—equivalent to two Airbus A318 airplanes.
Photo: Unsplash
