Pancakes are a “recipe for disaster” when it comes to drains being blocked, a plumbing group has warned as Shrove Tuesday approaches.
The flour, fat and oil contained in the crepes can harden in pipes and lead to blockages which can cost an average of £150-£300 to repair.
Rated People, a network of tradespeople, has provided advice on how to avoid a costly bill on Tuesday when people may already have the problem of getting pancakes off the ceiling.
How can pancake batter damage your drains?
“Pancake batter contains flour, fat and oil and this is a recipe for disaster when it comes to drains as it can quickly harden in pipes and lead to blockages and burst pipes which can be costly to repair,” Rated People said.
Pouring leftover pancake mix down the drain can also contribute to fatbergs in sewers. This is a phenomenon when fat and grease combine with unflushable items such as wet wipes and cotton buds.
Fatbergs prevent water from flowing through, and it’s estimated that South West Water spends a huge £4.5 million every year only clearing blockages.
How much does it cost to fix a burst pipe in your home?
Depending on how easy it is to access the pipe, it would cost around £150- £300 to fix the issue.
Rated People added: “Leaking or fully burst pipes caused by increased pressure from blockages can cause damage to your property and possessions, which means fixing the broken pipework could only be part of the repair cost.
“Whether it’s a plastic or copper pipe, the solution will likely involve replacing the section of the pipe that’s damaged. Fixing a burst water pipe that’s easy to access will cost around £150, but with no visible access, the job is trickier and that can set you back by around £300 on average.
“Those hard-to-locate leaks are where a plumber’s expertise is even more valuable.”
What should you do with the leftover pancake mixture instead?
Rated People explains how you can save your pipes from any pancake-related problems by trying these four alternatives to pouring leftover batter down the drain:
Freeze leftover batter: Portion control can be tricky, and you can store homemade batter in the fridge for up to only two days.
Use it for Yorkshire puddings: Pancake mixture uses the same recipe as Yorkshire puddings. As such, you can use the remaining batter to create a batch of Sunday roast Yorkies — and then pop them in the freezer until you need to use them.
Fakeaways: If you want to create an at-home version of a traditional fish and chips takeaway, then hold on to your batter. By coating a piece of cod in your pancake mixture and deep frying (or shallow frying it), you can use up the leftover batter to create a delicious evening meal.
Dispose in food waste bin: If your batter didn’t turn out as the recipe promised, then wait until it’s cool and then put it in a food waste bin. Be sure to check that your local authority accepts this type of food in the waste first, though.
Pancake Day falls on Tuesday, February 21 in 2023.
