People with leftover Baileys after Christmas are being warned not to pour it down the sink, as it can cause costly blockages. The cream-based liqueur can solidify in pipes, leading to expensive repairs.
Alex Saunders, head of Southern Water's wastewater network, said: 'Something like Baileys, which has a cream content could add to problems. No one likes a nasty surprise over the festive season and a blocked drain is no different.'
Kevin Began, director of Blockbuster Drainage, explained that Baileys 'will collate in the 'U' bend under the sink due to its thick consistency and prevent liquid from passing through to the external drainage'. He advised pouring such substances into a sealable container and disposing of it in the general waste bin.
Jamie Woodhall, UK Technical and Innovations Manager at Rentokil Specialist Hygiene, said: 'You should only pour water based products down a sink, or those that are water soluble.' He warned that unsuitable products can lead to expensive drain blockages and overflowing sinks.
Other common culprits for blockages include cooking oils, fats, rice, pasta, flour, coffee grounds, and paint. Severe blockages may require professional cleaning methods such as high-pressure water jetting.
