GRAVY lovers are being hit with an urgent Easter warning – as experts reveal the big mistake nearly everyone makes when prepping their Sunday roast.
While it might be the star of your Sunday dinner, experts are warning that gravy could be wreaking havoc on your home – and leaving you with a hefty repair bill.
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Tucking into an Easter roast is a beloved tradition for families across the UK – and whether it’s lamb, beef or a veggie twist, there’s always one thing that ties it all together: gravy.
Danielle Robinson, plumbing expert at Toolstation, says pouring leftover gravy down the sink is a recipe for disaster.
“Tipping gravy down the sink can cause serious harm to your household pipes since once it cools the fats and oils solidify and create blockages – which can be costly to fix,” she warned.
Danielle advises wiping plates and cutlery clean and binning the scraps instead.
And it’s not just gravy – rice, pasta, custard and cream are also drain-blocking culprits that could cause chaos in your kitchen.
If you’ve already made the gravy gaffe and your pipes are playing up, don’t panic – Danielle’s got your back with some top tips to tackle the trouble.
For mild blockages, she recommends using a drain unblocker – but make sure you pick the right one for the job.
In the kitchen, go for a product that dissolves grease and fats, while in the bathroom, opt for something that targets hair and soap scum.
Follow the instructions on the label, pour it down the plughole, leave it to work its magic (overnight for the stubborn stuff), then flush with boiling water from the kettle.
If that doesn’t shift it, you can try drain snakes, which you can grab at just £4.98.
Just feed the rod into the pipe until you feel the blockage, then twist and push gently to break it up.
Be careful not to damage the pipe, and pull the debris back out.
Still no luck?
Then it’s time to call in the pros, who’ll likely use rodding, jetting or high-powered snaking to get things flowing again.
How to save on plumbing costs
HAVING to call a plumber can be a costly inconvenience – but there are ways to save.
We explain how you can look after your cash…
Compare Quotes
Before hiring a plumber, get quotes from several different plumbers or plumbing companies.
This allows you to compare prices and services to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Some plumbers may offer a free estimate, so take advantage of this to understand the cost upfront.
Schedule During Off-Peak Times
Plumbers may charge higher rates for emergency or weekend call-outs. If your plumbing issue is not urgent, try to schedule the work during regular business hours.
This can help you avoid the premium rates often charged for out-of-hours services.
Do Some Preparation Yourself
If it’s safe and feasible, do some of the preliminary work yourself. For example, clearing the area where the plumber will be working can save time.
Additionally, having a clear understanding of the problem and providing detailed information to the plumber can help them diagnose and fix the issue more quickly, potentially reducing labour costs.
This comes after people were warned not to tip the cream-based alcoholic beverage Baileys down the drain during Christmas.
According to a plumber from MyBuilder.com, Baileys is one of the most common causes of drain blockages.
MyBuilder.com spokesperson and plumber Mike Flook said: “If disposed of down the sink, these products could cause clogging in the pipes, leading to a costly call out, especially if it causes an issue over the Christmas break, when emergency callout charges may apply.
“While it may seem that liquids like creamy drinks or leftover gravy could be washed down the sink, the reality is that they can cause serious issues, especially if it’s a repeated action.
“The result can be that, depending on the product and where you tipped it, you could face blocked toilets or sinks.
“While this is a pain at any time of the year, at Christmas when plumbers can be hard to come by, it is doubly frustrating and costly.”
Liquids like gravy, turkey fat, and Baileys should never be thrown down the sink due to their category as fat, oil, and grease (FOG).
If you realise that the wrong item has gone down the drain, there are some steps from MyBuilder.com that you can take to help:
- Immediately run the hot water as this helps dissolve any grease and fats keeping them liquid until they are out of your pipes.
- Leave the hot water running for several minutes to be safe.
- Do not pour cold water down the sink as this will cause the fats and oils to solidify in the pipes causing blockages.
- Add dish soap to the hot water going down the drain to help remove the blockages without damaging your pipes.
- Don’t use chemicals as drain unblockers are often ineffective against FOGs, and can cause damage to your pipes in the process.
- Use a plunger instead as this is likely more effective and is gentle.
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