Avoid Festive Plumbing Disasters: What Not to Put Down Your Sink This Christmas
The festive season is one of the busiest times of the year for our kitchens. From Christmas dinner preparations to Boxing Day leftovers and celebratory drinks, our sinks and drains work overtime. Unfortunately, this also makes December a peak period for blocked drains and unexpected plumbing call-outs.
Many common festive food and drink items might seem harmless, but when washed down the sink they can quickly cause serious blockages, unpleasant smells and even long-term damage to your plumbing system. To help you avoid a festive plumbing headache, here’s what you should
never put down your sink or drains this Christmas.
Fat, Grease and Cooking Oils
Whether it’s turkey fat, gravy remnants or cooking oil from roasting potatoes, fats and grease are one of the biggest causes of
blocked drains.
While liquid when hot, they cool and solidify inside your pipes, sticking to the pipe walls and gradually building up until water can no longer flow freely.
Top tip: Pour cooled fats into a container and dispose of them in your household waste instead.
Vegetable Peelings and Food Scraps
Vegetable peelings, food leftovers and scraps may seem biodegradable, but they can easily become trapped in pipe bends. Over time, these materials combine with grease and soap residue, forming stubborn clogs that are difficult to clear without professional equipment.
Top tip: Use a food waste bin or compost caddy rather than rinsing scraps down the sink.
Coffee Grounds and Tea Leaves
Coffee grounds and loose tea leaves are surprisingly problematic. They don’t dissolve in water and instead collect in pipes, creating a sludge-like build-up that restricts water flow and contributes to drainage issues.
Top tip: Empty coffee grounds and tea leaves into the bin before washing mugs or cafetières.
Bones and Shells
Turkey bones, prawn shells and other hard food waste should never go near your sink. They are too tough to break down and can damage pipework or get lodged in narrow sections, leading to sudden plumbing problems.
Top tip: Scrape plates thoroughly into the bin before washing up.
Alcohol and Fizzy Drinks
Leftover wine, beer or fizzy drinks might not seem like a concern, but in large quantities the sugar and acidity can affect older pipework and contribute to unpleasant odours within your drainage system.
Top tip: Dispose of excess drinks sparingly and avoid pouring large volumes down the sink.
Keep Your Drains Clear This Christmas
Taking a few simple precautions can save you from inconvenient and costly plumbing issues during the festive period. Being mindful of what goes down your sink will help keep your drains flowing freely and your celebrations stress-free.
If you do experience a blockage or plumbing issue over Christmas, the experts at
Deakin’s Plumbing & Heating
are on hand to help. We provide fast, reliable and professional plumbing services to get your home back up and running when you need it most.
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Contact Deakin’s Plumbing & Heating today
for expert advice or emergency assistance — and enjoy a worry-free festive season.
