As autumn settles in and rainy weather takes over, many homeowners face a common problem: clogged drains. The Met Office has issued weather alerts for heavy downpours across several regions on Tuesday, November 4 and Bonfire Night, Wednesday, November 5. These wet conditions often lead to blocked drains, especially those around your home.
During autumn, outdoor drains connected to your kitchen sink can quickly become obstructed by leaves, twigs, dirt, and food waste including fats, grease, rice, and food residue. These blockages can cause serious drainage issues, making water flow sluggish and potentially causing costly damage.
Thankfully, there’s a simple, cost-effective solution that experts from plumbing and home maintenance company Maintracts recommend. Instead of turning to expensive chemical drain cleaners, you can use a common household item—washing up liquid, costing as little as 62p—paired with hot water to clear stubborn blockages.
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It’s important to note this method is only suitable for drains connected to your kitchen sink. Avoid pouring washing up liquid down drains that collect rainwater alone, as chemical surfactants can harm wildlife and local watercourses. To minimize environmental impact, opt for plant-based washing up liquids without harsh chemicals.
Maintracts explains that fat, oil, and grease (FOG) are the main offenders when it comes to blocked outdoor kitchen drains. While pouring hot grease down the sink might seem harmless, it solidifies as it cools inside the pipes, sticking to the walls and trapping debris like food scraps, soap scum, and dirt. Over time, this forms a stubborn, immovable blockage, worsened by garden debris and litter near outdoor drains.
To combat this, Maintracts recommends pouring a mixture of boiling water and a generous amount of washing up liquid down your drain. The boiling water melts the fat, while the detergent breaks it down, making it easier to flush away. Pour the mixture slowly to allow it time to work, and repeat several times for best results.
Once your drains are clear, taking preventive measures will help avoid future blockages. Maintracts suggests regular maintenance and being mindful of what is disposed down your kitchen sink.
This simple 62p hack is an eco-friendly and efficient way to keep your drains flowing smoothly during the autumn’s wettest months.