Plumber warns Christmas dinner item becomes ‘solid layer’ inside pipes | UK | News
If you’re used to pouring all your liquids down the sink, it may be time to reconsider. Plumbing experts are warning Brits about an unexpected cause of ‘winter drainage problems’, which are often intensified over the festive period.
The culprit causing these sink clogs isn’t what you’d expect; It is a common condiment often served at a roast dinner. Cranberry sauce, horseradish or mustard come to mind. plumbing world experts have determined that gravy is the main culprit of Christmas.
“Gravy is full of fats, oils, broths and thickeners that cool very quickly when it hits the cold pipes,” experts said. “What flows as a smooth liquid becomes a sticky, solid layer inside your drainage system, trapping food debris and gradually clogging the pipe.
“The problem is exacerbated over the Christmas period as families produce and use many more sauces than usual. Between Christmas dinner, Boxing Day leftovers and New Year’s meals, trays full of gravies and sauces are often thrown down the sink.”
“Each time this happens, another layer of grease sticks to the inside of the pipe. In the winter, when outdoor and under-sink pipes are much colder, this grease builds up almost instantly. Even a small amount contributes to buildup, and when the pipe becomes coated, food particles, vegetables, and fillers easily stick to the pipe, creating the beginnings of a stubborn winter clog.”
Plumbing professionals have even dubbed the sauce ‘pipe glue’ for its notorious ability to cling tenaciously to the insides of the pipe. The troublesome mix of grease, starch and food debris not only creates chaos in your drainage system, but can also produce some pretty unpleasant odors throughout your property.
Experts continued: “Early signs of a drain-related clog include the sink draining slower than normal, gurgling sounds, bubbling at the faucet hole, or a sour, oily odor coming from the drain. If these warnings are ignored, the problem can turn into standing water that doesn’t drain at all, overflow from outdoor drains, or leaks when pressure builds inside the pipeline.”
The suggested solution is to use sauces in the same way as cooking oil; Avoid pouring it completely down the drain. Instead, let the remaining sauce cool and solidify before throwing it in the trash.
This resonated similarly Thames Water’s festival recommendation for 2025. A recent study by the firm claimed that spilling fats, oils and fats down the kitchen sink is one of the leading causes of internal flooding due to clogs.
Thames Water also reportedly clears up to 75,000 blockages a year, costing up to £40 million. Tess Fayers, Director of Wastewater and Bioresources at Thames Water, said recently: “Our research shows that everyday habits such as flushing food waste, grease and oily liquids down the sink or flushing wipes can unintentionally lead to blocked pipes.
“These issues are particularly common during the festive season when cooking and hosting are in full swing. The last thing we want is for the festive season to be ruined by blocked drains. “There are some simple changes we can all make to help protect our homes and keep drains flowing.
“Always scrape fats and oils into the bin before washing the dishwasher, avoid pouring drinks such as hot chocolate or tea down the drain, and avoid flushing pee, poop or anything that isn’t toilet paper, even if the packaging says otherwise.
“These small steps can make a significant difference to our environment and help protect everyone’s homes – not just during the festive season but for years to come.”
