CHRISTMAS shoppers excitedly opening their new bottles of Baileys should be aware of a costly mistake that could spoil the festive season.
Irish cream liqueur is a staple in many households as the night approaches, but as a 1L bottle is sometimes too much for people to drink, many end up throwing the dregs down the drain.
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Bailey’s drinkers can make a big mistake when the bottle is almost empty Credit: Getty
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As the nights draw in and the Bailey’s come out, plumbers have issued a warning about dumping sediment down the sinkCredit: Getty
Unlike other alcoholic drinks, the cream-based drink spoils after six months after opening.
However, this common disposal method could be very expensive, warned a professional plumber.
According to a plumber from MyBuilder.com, Baileys are one of the most common causes of clogged drains.
Another common drink that causes this problem is coffee as coffee grounds are regularly found to be the cause of clogging.
MyBuilder.com said: “If thrown down the sink, these products can cause pipes to clog, leading to an expensive call out, especially if they cause a problem over the Christmas holidays, when emergency calls can be billed.”
Plumber Mike Flook detailed that another holiday product is also responsible for common drainage problems.
He said: “While it may seem that liquids such as creamy drinks or leftover sauces can be flushed down the sink, the reality is that they can cause serious problems, especially if it is repeated.
“The result can be that, depending on the product and where you disposed of it, you may end up with clogged toilets or sinks.
“While this is a pain at any time of year, at Christmas when plumbers are hard to come by, it’s doubly frustrating and expensive.”
Liquids such as gravy, turkey fat and Baileys should never be thrown down the sink due to their Fats, Oils and Fats (FOG) category.
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None of these elements should ever enter our drains as they stick to the pipes causing blockages and eventually creating what are known as “fatbergs” in our sewer systems.
According to MyBuilder.com, half the population admits to pouring FOG down the drain.
“The problem with pouring leftover grease down the drain is that it will cool, which can lead to clogs and grease buildup,” the company warned.
It added that “calling a plumber at Christmas isn’t easy…an emergency call can be four times more expensive than a regular one – and even more at Christmas.”
If you realize that the wrong item has failed, there are some steps on MyBuilder.com that you can take to help:
- Run the hot water right away as this helps dissolve all the grease and oil keeping it liquid until it comes out of your pipes.
- Let the hot water run for a few minutes to be safe.
- Do not pour cold water down the sink as this will cause grease and oil to solidify in the pipes causing blockages.
- Add dishwashing liquid to the hot water going down the drain to remove blockages without damaging the pipes.
- Do not use chemicals as drain unclogs are often ineffective against fogging and can damage your pipes in the process.
- Use a plunger instead as this is probably more efficient and gentler.
The Baileys warning comes after Costco slashed the price of a 1L bottle to under £10 making it cheaper than Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Asda.
Party-goers should also be aware of the dangers of throwing items such as make-up wipes, cotton balls and pads down the toilet.
They account for 93 percent of sewer blockages according to a 2017 study.
MyBuilder.com advises all party hosts to provide guests with a trash can and know not to throw such items into the water.
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Source: HIS Education