UK households have been urged to pour washing-up liquid down their drains following a spate of warm weather. Downpours are forecast across parts of Britain this week, meaning drains could be put to the test.
Why Drains Get Blocked
After heavy rain, drains outside a property can rapidly become blocked with leaves, twigs and general debris. Food waste washed down kitchen drains can also cause outdoor blockages, including fat, grease and even rice and fragments of food residue.
A Simple Solution
However, there is one swift and straightforward method to get a blocked kitchen drain flowing freely again, The Express reports. This method requires no costly chemicals, just an ordinary bottle of washing up liquid, experts say.
According to plumbing and home maintenance firm Maintracts, outdoor drains connected to the kitchen sink, and only these, can be cleared swiftly using nothing more than washing up liquid and hot water.
Important Precautions
It is worth noting that this tip applies solely to drains linked to the kitchen sink, so avoid pouring it down a drain that handles only rainwater from the roof, as chemical-based washing up liquid is harmful to watercourses and can prove fatal to wildlife. For those drains, a natural alternative such as vinegar and bicarbonate of soda is far more suitable.
To minimise environmental impact as much as possible, opt for a plant-based washing up liquid that is free from chemical surfactants.
Expert Advice
Maintracts states in its online guidance: "Fat, oil and grease (commonly known as FOG) are among the biggest culprits behind blocked gullies and outside drains. When hot grease is poured down the sink, it may seem harmless. But as it cools in your foul water drain, it hardens and sticks to the pipe walls. Eventually, this sticky mess collects other debris, such as food scraps, soap scum and dirt, creating a solid, immovable blockage."
"This is especially problematic in outdoor drains, which are more exposed to the elements and can easily become a magnet for garden debris, mud and litter, thereby exacerbating the blockage."
How to Unblock Drains
Simply combine washing up liquid with hot water and apply the mixture to the affected drain. "One of the simplest ways to unblock outside drain blockages caused by fat is to pour boiling water mixed with a generous amount of washing-up liquid into the drain," Maintracts added. "The boiling water helps melt the fat, while the soap breaks it down, making it easier to flush away. Ensure to do this slowly to allow the heat and detergent time to work. Repeat the process several times for optimal results."
