Urgent warning to cooks whipping up a roast this Sunday as there’s a dangerous mistake people make over Easter
COME Sunday, thousands of us will be sitting down to a delicious Easter roast.
And whether you’ll be tucking into turkey or lunching on lamb, there is sure to be plenty of gravy on the table because what is a roast without gravy?
However, if you happen to end up with an excess of the roast topper then make sure you think before chucking it away.
Danielle Robinson, plumbing category manager at Toolstation, has warned Brits against pouring leftover gravy down the drain.
She explains: “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.”
Instead, she recommends homeowners wipe down cutlery and crockery and then dispose of the food debris in the household waste bin to avoid any potential plumbing issues.
But, it isn’t just gravy you should be watching out for with Danielle sharing some of the other worst offenders…
Fats and cooking oils – these are a very common cause of blockages in kitchen drains as once they are poured away, they solidify and cling to the side of the pipes.
It is best to decant these into a container and leave it to set before throwing away.
Coffee grounds – these do not fully break down in water and so can remain in the pipes and help cause a blockage over time.
To avoid this, they should be disposed of in the household bin or used outdoors for compost.
Rice and pasta – even a small amount of leftover rice or pasta can cause a blockage since they will clump together when wet and stick to the walls of the pipe.
To help avoid this, make sure to completely scrape all plates and cutlery before cleaning.
Custard and cream – due to their high-fat content, over time the fats can build up and stick to the sides of pipes causing them to narrow and easily block.
It’s best to dispose of these either in a home food waste bin or a general waste bin.
Expert advice to help clear drain blockages
Danielle has also shared some advice to help unblock a drain, from a mild blockage to a more stubborn one.
For mild blockages
For partial blockages, it’s best to use some drain unblocker but it’s important to invest in the correct one depending on the blockage.
For blockages in the kitchen, you want to use a drain unblocker that helps to dissolve grease and other food materials like fats. Whereas for bathroom blockages you want a drain unblocker that dissolves hair.
In both instances, follow the guidance on the label to pour the liquid down the plug hole and clear the pipe. Make sure to leave for the specified time, or overnight if it’s a stubborn blockage, then flush the drain with boiled water from the kettle.
For tough blockages
For tougher blockages, equipment such as drain snakes are good to keep in the home for when you cannot reach a blockage
Drain snakes can be purchased for as little as £4.98, and all you need to do is insert the snake until you can feel the obstruction. Then rotate the rod in a twisting motion whilst applying a little bit of pressure.
In doing so be careful not to damage or pierce the drainage pipe. Once you’ve twisted you can retract the snake back up the pipe to clear any debris.
If this method does not work along with commercial drain unblockers, it’s time to call in the professionals. Here they will typically use either rodding, jetting, or snaking to dislodge the blockage.