It's Shrove Tuesday today.
Pancake Day is the final day of Shrovetide, which marks the end of the pre-Lenten season. Lent begins the following day with Ash Wednesday.
While Canadians enjoy the tasty pancake treats, there's a warning not to pour leftover batter down the sink. Doing so can cause serious blockages and costly repairs.
If you accidentally make this mistake, don't panic! There are some expert tips to prevent long-term plumbing issues.
According to the experts from Homestars.com, pancake batter falls into the category of Fats, Oils, and Greases (FOGs). FOGs are terrible not just for your drains, but also the nation’s sewers, where they add to the already considerable “fatbergs” and cost the nation millions of dollars to fix.
Pancake batter contains oil and flour, which is notorious for sticking to your pipes should it go down the drain. This can lead to blockages which require a plumber to resolve, costing hundreds of dollars. And if your blockage turns into an emergency call out, the bill will be even higher.
It’s not just pancake batter that can cause this issue - many common household leftovers can result in the same problem. Cooking fats, cream liqueurs, and even coffee grounds all pose the same risk.
However, close to a fifth of Canadians admit to pouring cooking fats down the drain when they need to dispose of them - with 12 percent saying they have put pancake batter down the drain.
Common items that can cause an issue include:
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Meat fat. Don’t be tempted to let excess meat fat go down the drain when you clear away. Fats such as these are big contributors to blocked pipes as they solidify when cooled, as well as adding to fatbergs.
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Cooking fat. A very common cooking product, but it must be disposed of in the waste and not down the drain.
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Gravy. A common meal staple, but leftovers must be put in the trash. This is because - like pancake batter - gravy contains both fats and flour.
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Custard. Not an obvious FOG, but custard is also a problem 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 have a short shelf life even when refrigerated, so often end up down the drain. But creamy drinks such as Baileys are classed as a FOG, and can wreak havoc on pipes.
“Pancake batter may look quite innocuous, but actually the oil and fat content can be a big issue for pipes," says a Homestars.com news release. "FOGS such as these coat your pipes and stick together, eventually resulting in blockages."
“Should you accidentally pour FOGS down the drain, there are some steps you can take to try and help.”
These steps include:
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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 the hot water running for several minutes to be safe.
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DON’T run cold water. This will quickly cause the FOG to solidify, blocking your pipes.
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DO use dish soap. Adding soap to hot water is a simple and gentle way to help remove the blockages, as it can break down the fats 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 simple plunger can be far more effective.