Baileys is a festive favourite for many at Christmas – but it comes with an unexpected warning. Although it’s an alcoholic drink, sadly, its creamy nature means it only has a six-month shelf life.
Having leftover Baileys that is no longer drinkable might tempt you to dispose of it down the drain. However, tradespeople are cautioning against this due to the serious issues it could cause to your plumbing.
A MyBuilder.com expert highlighted that because of its high fat content – similar to that of grease and oils known to solidify – Baileys can lead to severe blockages.
As explained by the Mirror, they noted: “Cream liqueur drinks, such as the popular Christmas favourite, Baileys, can be a problem for your plumbing at Christmas. While it may be delicious to drink, it doesn’t keep for long and often ends up down the sink.”
Furthermore, they added: “However, this sort of beverage should never be disposed of in this way. Cream liqueurs have a large fat content and as such fall into the category of FOG (Fats, Oils, and Greases). FOG should never go down the sink, as it sticks to pipes and can cause blockages. It’s also responsible for ‘fatbergs’ in our sewers.”
This festive season, it’s not just Baileys that could cause a problem – turkey fat is also categorised as FOG. Experts warn that pouring these liquids down the drain can lead to blockages in your pipes when they cool and solidify.
If you accidentally pour something down your sink that shouldn’t be there, it could potentially ruin your Christmas. Getting a plumber out on Christmas day will be challenging and costly.
Emergency callouts are typically “four times as expensive” as regular ones, and this cost will increase over the holiday period. If you need to dispose of old Baileys or other FOG liquids, experts suggest sealing them in a container and placing them in your general waste bin.
For hot fats like turkey fat, allow it to cool before disposal.
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