Plumbers beg Irish homes to stop pouring Baileys down the sink this Christmas
With Christmas just over a week away, many homes across Ireland are brimming with festive treats - from tubs of chocolates and mince pies to indulgent drinks.Among the favourites for Christmas gatherings is Baileys, the creamy Irish liqueur beloved for its rich blend of chocolate and whiskey.However, it's not usually something that can be consumed in large amounts and it doesn't last forever - Baileys is best enjoyed within six months of opening.When a bottle starts to go off, it might seem harmless to tip it down the sink - but plumbers are now issuing a serious pre-Christmas warning not to do this.What seems like a convenient way to dispose of leftover Baileys could wreak havoc with the pipes under the sink.Mike Flook, a plumber from MyBuilder.com, explained that many blockages in homes are caused by liquids people assume are safe to pour down the drain.He explained: "While it may seem that liquids like creamy drinks could be washed down the sink, the reality is that they can cause serious issues, especially if it's a repeated action. The result can be that, depending on the product and where you tipped it, you could face blocked toilets or sinks. While this is a pain at any time of the year, at Christmas/New Year when plumbers can be hard to come by, it is doubly frustrating and costly."Cream liqueur drinks, such as the popular Christmas favourite, Baileys, can be a problem for your plumbing at Christmas. While it may be delicious to drink, it doesn't keep for long, and might end up down the sink. However, this sort of beverage should never be disposed of in this way."He added that Baileys and other cream liqueurs fall into the category of FOG - fats, oils and greases.Mike continued: "Cream liqueurs have a large fat content, and as such falls into the category of FOG. FOG should never go down the sink, as it sticks to pipes and can cause blockages. It's also what's responsible for 'fatbergs' in our sewers."Similar to Baileys, turkey fat is classed as FOG. Half the population admit to pouring FOG down the drain, but don't be one of them. The problem with pouring leftover fat down the drain is it will cool, which can lead to blockages and fatbergs in your pipes."If Baileys or other FOGs accidentally end up in your sink, plumbers recommend the following to avoid blockages:DO Immediately run the hot water. Heat from the water can help to dissolve grease and fats, and keep them in liquid form until they are out of your pipes and in the sewer. Leave them hot water running for several minutes to be safe.DON'T run cold water. This will quickly cause the FOG to solidify, blocking your pipes.DO use dish soap. Adding soap to hot water is a simple and gentle way to help remove the blockages without damaging your pipes.DON'T use chemicals. Drain unblockers are often ineffective against FOGs, and can cause damage to your pipes in the process. A plunger is likely to be more effective, and is gentle, so ensure you have one in the house just in case.Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
