Households warned over £200 bill and warned
People across the UK could face repair bills of £200 or more if they make a common mistake in the kitchen. Households have been warned against pouring certain alcoholic drinks down kitchen sinks.
With the warmer weather here and people look to unwind with a drink, those reaching for cream liqueurs are being urged to take care. This is because pouring leftovers away could lead to plumbing problems, according to experts at SAGE. They note: "Cream liqueurs have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years, and you won't just find Baileys on our supermarket shelves.
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"These creamy alcoholic drinks are flavoured with everything from mango and strawberry to espresso and salted caramel. However, whatever the flavouring, they are all classed as FOG and can wreak havoc on pipes."
SAGE notes that FOG stands for fats, oils and grease. Said to be a "plumber's worst nightmare" this category also includes gravy, ice cream, cream, cooking oils, salad dressings, butter and lard.
Pouring any of these down the sink can cause blocked pipes and fatbergs. A fatberg is a large, hard blockage in the sewer made from hardened fats, oils and grease (FOG) mixed with other waste.
It adds: "In London alone more than 100 tonnes of fat are poured down sinks every day, according to Thames Water, which has to clear more than 100,000 blockages a year – saying that solidified fat is responsible for more than half."
Thames Water adds: Even if you block a pipe in your home by mistake, it’s legally your responsibility to fix it. Calling out a plumber to fix it could cost you more than £200."
It’s also worth noting that even tuna can cause problems. On Friday (June 26), DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles appeared on Morning Live to talk about fatbergs.
He urged people not to pour tuna brine or oil down the sink. Although brine is mostly water and salt, leftover fish oils and particles can build up in pipes, mix with soap, and cause serious blockages or fatbergs.
He said: "Don't pour your oils down the sink. I mean, most people know not to pour oils down your sink in the bathroom or in your kitchen now. But actually, most of us will drain a tin of tuna into the sink. With the oil that's in a tin of tuna, or maybe the fat from an air fryer, or coffee grounds, all these things, add to create a block."
Instead, Nick advises scraping it into a disposable container. "Like a baked bean tin or anything else that you're throwing, and put them in the bin and get rid of them that way."