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‘Don’t pour Baileys down the sink!’: Plumbers issue festive warning to avoid Christmas Day disasters

The warning comes from trades platform MyBuilder.com, whose plumbers say the run-up to Christmas is prime time for clogged drains, blocked toilets and emergency callouts. And while the advice might sound comical, the consequences can be anything but.

Think before you sink

From roast dinners to creamy liqueurs, many festive favourites fall into the category of FOGs — fats, oils and greases — which can solidify in pipes and contribute to the dreaded “fatbergs” lurking in our sewers.

“FOGs are really problematic for our drains,” said plumber Mike Flook, who’s dealt with everything from gravy blockages to candlewax poured down the plughole.

“Recently I had a customer who poured candlewax down the sink. It set solid inside the trap — and when I removed it, it was literally the shape of a candle again!”

Flook says DIY fixes often make things worse, especially when sink waste kits are taken apart and reassembled incorrectly.

“I’ve seen customers try to unblock sinks themselves and end up causing leaks or damaging the whole system. One ended up needing a full double bowl waste kit replacement.”

What not to pour down the sink

• Baileys and cream liqueurs: These are classed as FOGs (fats, oils, greases) and can solidify in pipes. Bin it, don’t sink it.
• Meat fat: Leftover fat from roasts cools and hardens in drains, leading to blockages and fatbergs.
• Gravy: Contains both fats and flour — a double threat for your plumbing.
• Coffee grounds: Not a FOG, but notorious for clumping in U-bends. Compost or bin them instead.

Instead of tipping leftovers down the sink, plumbers recommend wrapping them up and binning them — or finding creative ways to reuse them.

If you do accidentally pour a FOG, run hot water for several minutes and add a little soap to help break it down. But avoid chemical drain unblockers, which can damage pipes and rarely work on grease.

Yule log clog — toilet tips for guests

• Check your flush: Make sure toilets are running properly before guests arrive.
• Provide a bin: Prevent guests from flushing wipes, sanitary products or anything that could block the system.
• Watch for strain: Extra use over the Christmas holidays can expose hidden plumbing issues — better to catch them early.

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