How to Prevent Blocked Drains This Christmas
Posted on: 6 December 2016
The festive season is a time for fun, good food and family, not for dealing with annoying blocked drains. There are a few factors that make blocked drains more likely during the Christmas period—a buildup of dead leaves can block outdoor drains, hot fat poured away after festive cooking can solidify to form a blockage, and guests may unknowingly get you in trouble by flushing items down the toilet. Follow the tips below to prevent this from happening and keep your drains in good working order this Christmas.
Clear dead leaves from outdoor drains
Dead leaves, twigs and other garden debris can build up in and around your outdoor drains in winter, causing blockages. Damp leaves are one of the biggest culprits, as they form a thick mulch which can fill your drain and is hard to remove. Regularly raking after leaf fall is a good idea, and it's best to act while leaves are still dry and easy to move. If you've got a lot of debris to deal with, then consider investing in a garden vacuum to save time and energy.
Don't pour fat down the drain
Cooking is in full swing at Christmas time, as you whip up delicious meals for friends and family. The way you dispose of the leftovers after cooking is really important when it comes to keeping drains in good condition. You should clear plates thoroughly, making sure that any food debris goes into the bin, and not down the kitchen sink, where it can build up and cause a blockage.
You should also avoid pouring cooking fat down the drain. Grease and oil can solidify inside your pipes, even if they were completely liquid when poured away, causing serious blockages. Instead, leave containers of fat to cool completely, before throwing in the bin. Small amounts of oil can be soaked up in a kitchen towel and thrown away easily.
Provide bathroom bins for guests
It's great to see your family and friends during the festive period, but they may unknowingly wreak havoc on your plumbing! Items like tampons, sanitary towels, nappies and condoms are commonly flushed down toilets and can cause serious blockages. Discourage flushing by providing a bin in every bathroom in your house, and asking guests to use it. Dealing with a blocked toilet is no fun, especially with a house full of visitors. If you're planning a big clean before everyone arrives, you should also take care not to flush cleaning wipes. Even those that claim to be 'flushable' can cause blockages.
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