This upcoming Tuesday, March 4, will be Shrove Tuesday, and with that comes lots of pancake cooking.
While it is a fun tradition that is beloved by millions of people across the world, the day could also cost you a huge plumbing bill if you pour your remaining batter down the sink.
According to experts, pancake batter is included in the category of Fats, Oils, and Greases (FOGs). FOGs aren't just bad for your drains, but also the nation’s sewers, where they will add to the already high “fatbergs” and cost the nation millions of dollars to repair.
Pancake batter includes oil and flour, which is infamous for sticking to your pipes if it were to go down the drain. This can lead to blockages which will require a plumber to resolve, costing you hundreds of dollars. And if your pipe blockage becomes an emergency call out, the bill will grow even higher.
Pancake batter is not the only kitchen item that can cause this issue as many common leftovers can cause this problem. Cooking fats, cream liqueurs, and even coffee grounds are all items that could potentially cause your pipes to be clogged.
However, nearly a fifth of Canadians (19 percent) admit that they have poured cooking fats down the drain to dispose of it - with 12 percent saying they have put pancake batter down the drain.
Common items that can cause blockages in your household pipes:
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Meat fat. Although you may be tempted to let extra meat fat go down the drain when clean your kitchen area. Fats like these are major contributors to blocked pipes since they solidify when cooled, as well as adding to fatbergs.
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Cooking fat. A very common cooking item, but the product must be disposed of in the compost and not down the drain.
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Gravy. A common meal staple, but excess gravy must be put in the trash. This is because - just as pancake batter - gravy has both fats and flour.
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Custard. Not a known FOG, but custard will cause you problems if poured down the drain. The substance can cause a coating on pipes which leads to blockages.
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Creamy drinks. These types of beverages din't have a long shelf life even when they are refrigerated, so they often end up being poured down the drain. But creamy drinks such as Baileys are classed as a FOG, and can wreak havoc on pipes.
Homestars.com which is a website that helps you find plumbers in your area, states that FOGs should on no occasion be disposed of in your drain.
“Pancake batter may look quite innocuous, but actually the oil and fat content can be a big issue for pipes. FOGS such as these coat your pipes and stick together, eventually resulting in blockages." Says the experts at Homestar. “Fixing this is going to cost you upwards of $400."
But if you were to pour any FOGs down the drain, there are some ways to help your drain pipes.
These steps include:
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Run the hot water directly after sending your FOG down the drain. Heat from the water can help to dissolve grease and fats, and hold them in liquid form until have left your pipes and reached the sewer. Continue to leave the hot water running for several minutes to be safe.
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DON’T use cold water. This will solidify FOGs very quickly clogging your pipes very easily.
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DO use dish soap. Adding soap to hot water is a easy and gentle way to remove these blockages, as soap can break down fats without damaging your drainage pipes.
- DON’T use any chemicals. Drain unblockers are usually ineffective against FOGs, and can create damage to your pipes in the process. A simple plunger can be a far better tool to use in these situations.
As Shrove Tuesday approaches next week, please keep these suggestions in mind when you are disposing of any FOGs such as pancake batter.