While many people are aware that cooking oil and melted cheese should not be poured down the drain due to the risk of stubborn blockages and costly plumbing repairs, experts have identified another common household item that can cause similar issues: beer. According to consumer champions Which?, regularly pouring beer down the sink can lead to problems over time.
Beer and Sink Blockages: What the Experts Say
Which? explains that while disposing of small amounts of beer occasionally is generally harmless, large quantities poured regularly can cause clogs and unpleasant odours. The organisation states: "However, avoid disposing of large quantities regularly. This could lead to potential issues like clogging or bad odours over time, because beer contains sugars, yeast, and other organic matter that can build up."
Cream Liqueurs Are a Plumber's Nightmare
Beer is not the only alcoholic drink that can wreak havoc on pipes. Cream liqueurs, which have seen a resurgence in popularity, are classified as FOG (fats, oils, and grease). Experts at SAGE note that these drinks, regardless of flavouring, can cause significant damage to plumbing systems. FOG also includes gravy, ice cream, cream, cooking oils, salad dressings, butter, and lard, all of which are considered a "plumber's worst nightmare."
Tuna Brine: An Unexpected Culprit
Even food items like canned tuna can contribute to pipe blockages. On June 26, BBC DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles appeared on Morning Live to discuss fatbergs. He urged viewers not to pour tuna brine or oil down the sink. Although tuna brine is mostly water and salt, leftover fish oils and food particles can accumulate in pipes, combining with grease and soap to form stubborn blockages or fatbergs. Knowles said: "Don't pour your oils down the sink. I mean, most people know not to pour oils down your sink in the bathroom or in your kitchen now. But actually, most of us will drain a tin of tuna into the sink. With the oil that's in a tin of tuna, or maybe the fat from an air fryer, or coffee grounds, all these things, add to create a block."
How to Dispose of Problematic Substances Properly
Instead of pouring these substances down the sink, Knowles advises scraping them into a disposable container, such as a baked bean tin, and throwing them in the bin. This simple practice can help prevent blockages and reduce the risk of fatbergs.
Signs Your Sink Is Getting Blocked
Spencer Darley of Which? Trusted Trader company Drain Jet Yorkshire identifies three key signs that a drain may be clogging. First, unpleasant odours resembling rotten food, stale or musty smells, or sewage-like odours may indicate trapped debris decomposing or stagnant water allowing bacteria to grow. Second, a glugging sound from the drain suggests air is trapped in the pipes and struggling to escape as water flows past. Darley explains: "The glugging is the sound of the airflow getting more and more restricted." Third, water draining more slowly is a clear indicator of a developing blockage; if left unaddressed, water may eventually stop flowing altogether.
