WE’VE all used it to get rid of annoying clogs in the drain.
But did you know that using quick fix could land you with a £400 bill?
According to a new survey from Saga, around 58% of people confess to using one of the – which work by creating a reaction that generates heat, dissolving blockages of grease, hair, and waste.
However, Saga home insurance’s product manager Anna Thunstrom warned that the cleaners, most of which contain strong alkaline or acidic chemicals, “can do more harm than good in the long run”;.
“It can erode metal and plastic pipes, leading to pipe corrosion, and worsen blockages if it doesn’t fully clear and hardens inside pipes,”; she said.
And if you have to enlist the help of a to get rid of the blockage, you can expect to pay anything from £50 to a whopping £400.
“The severity, location, and repair method that’s needed to clear a blocked drain all influence how much it could cost,”; Anna explained.
“Don’t forget you’ll also need to pay the call-out fee, which could be around £50, up to £200 for out of hours.”;
The survey, in which Saga questioned 500 Brits, also revealed the five biggest culprits when it comes to what causes a drain blockage.
And many of the problem items come from the kitchen – with oil and grease often leading to “fatbergs”;, a “hard rock-like accumulation of non-biodegradable waste that causes major blockages in drains and sewers”;.
While research fromUnblocktober – the world’s first month-long national campaign and awareness month to improve the health of our drains – backs up Saga’s survey.
“Our own survey found that when asked to identify items that contribute to the formation of fatbergs, 78% of the UK public identified fat, oil, and grease from cooking, 66% identified sanitary towels, 56% identified wet wipes, 50% identified cooking sauces, and 50% identified tampons,”; Unblocktober’s Jacob Larkin said.
And when it comes to toilets, it’s best to stick to the ‘three Ps rule’.
“Our number one piece of advice is to stick to the three Ps rule when it comes to flushing waste,”; Jacob said.
“Only flush pee, poo, and paper!”;
After putting the chemical cleaners to one side, there are some natural alternatives you can try to get rid of drain blockages instead.
For grease-based clogs, try boiling water – but avoid if you have PVC pipes, as they could melt or soften.
Baking soda and white vinegar is a good choice as it causes a natural reaction that can help dissolve buildup.
Drain snakes or plungers are effective for hair and solid debris, while enzyme-based cleaners are gentler on pipes, and work by ‘digesting’ the blockage.
