Love Is in the Air, But Not in Your Drains: Valentine's Plumbing Mishaps
Avoid a Valentine's night drainage disaster. Practical tips on what not to flush or pour away before your romantic evening in.
A romantic evening at home can turn sour fast if your drains decide to make an entrance, so here is what to watch for before the candles are lit.
Rose petals and candle wax look lovely, not in your sink
Scattering petals is a nice touch, but if they end up swept down the plughole they can gather with soap scum and start a blockage. Candle wax is worse: it hardens as it cools and clings to the inside of pipework, narrowing the flow over time.
If wax does end up in a sink or drain, avoid pouring hot water straight after, as this can spread softened wax further into the pipe. Let it cool, remove what you can by hand, and call us for drain unblocking if water starts backing up.
The kitchen is where most Valentine's disasters start
A special dinner often means richer food, more oil, and more washing up than usual. Fats and sauces poured down the sink cool and solidify in the pipe, and this is one of the most common causes of kitchen blockages we attend across London and Essex.
Scrape plates into the bin before washing up, and let pans cool before tipping away any leftover fat or oil.
Bathroom preparations and what not to flush
Bath bombs, bubble bath and wipes are popular for setting the mood, but cosmetic wipes and cotton pads should never be flushed, even if the packaging says biodegradable. They do not break down quickly enough and are a leading cause of toilet blockages.
- Bin wipes, cotton pads and packaging rather than flushing them
- Use bath products sparingly if your property has an older drain run
- Keep a bin in the bathroom for the evening's extras
If something does go wrong
Not every mishap can be avoided, and a blocked sink or toilet at an inconvenient time is more common than you might think. We offer 24 hour emergency call outs across London and Essex, so a plumbing problem does not have to spoil the evening.
For anything more stubborn than a plunger can handle, high pressure jetting clears blockages quickly and thoroughly without unnecessary disruption to your home.
A little planning goes a long way
Taking a few minutes to think about what goes down your drains before the evening starts is a small effort that avoids a much bigger headache later. If you do run into trouble, get in touch with Rapid Drainage Services on 020 3488 6280 or at info@rdrainage.co.uk.