The £2.25 cleaning cupboard staple that could be RUINING your pipes and land you with a £400 bill
WE’VE all used it to get rid of annoying clogs in the drain.
But did you know that using quick fix chemical drain cleaners could land you with a £400 bill?
According to a new survey from Saga, around 58% of people confess to using one of the products – 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 professional 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 from Unblocktober – 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.
5 cleaning hacks
Say goodbye to ironing
Don’t have time to smooth out the wrinkles of a shirt with an iron? Lenor‘s Crease Releaser makes wrinkles vanish – simply hang up creased items, give them a quick spritz and smooth against a hard surface.
Teabags for trainers
When trainers smell a little squiffy, pop a used (and still moist) tea bag inside and leave for about an hour. The tannins will seep into the sole of the shoe to fight nasty-smelling odours.
Remove limescale without scrubbing
When bathroom taps start looking a little grimy with limescale, slice a lemon in half and sprinkle on baking soda. Rub the fruit over the taps and with a gentle clean they will come up sparkling. Use a toothbrush to get in all the nooks and crannies.
Streak-free mirrors and windows
White vinegar is a handy secret weapon when it comes to keeping mirrors and windows streak-free. Mix one part white vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle. Squirt then wipe with a microfibre cloth and voilà, clean glass in an instant.
Make your home smell amazing
For dust-free skirting boards, pour some fabric softener onto a cloth and give them a quick wipe. It will stop dirt collecting so quickly and, as an added bonus, make your home smell amazing.
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.