Just when you think you know it all... I so wish I'd received the press release from mybuilder.com a week ago, as I may have been able to do a lot more good with it prior to pancake day on Tuesday. Having said that, it made enough of an impact on me that I'm not going to forget the advice it offered, so it's worth sharing now. 

  

I've known for years now to thoroughly wipe oily pans, butter knives and dishes etc with tissue before washing them up - so as not to contribute to the fatbergs our water companies have to deal with, (she says, giving herself a virtual pat on the back). What hadn't occurred to me, (red faced here) is the damage I'm doing with other things. My family stopped eating meat more than a decade ago, so no meat fats for disposal, but we do make gravy, and I'd not realised that we shouldn't tip leftovers into the sink - nor lumpy milk or yoghurt residues. I won't be doing it again now that I know better! 

  

Unlike many of those who took part in the survey (learn more at https://www.mybuilder.com/profile/mj_flook_plumbing), I've never poured pancake batter down the sink - since every last bit is cooked and greedily devoured, along with copious amounts of fresh lemon & some sugar. Like them though I’d not realised that batter falls into the category of fatberg-forming FOGs (Fats, Oils, & Greases), along with custard and creamy liqueurs such as Baileys, which can form a coating on pipes that may lead to blockages. (Baileys? Who has Baileys left over to tip down the sink?). I wouldn't be stupid enough to pour candle wax down the sink, but apparently others do, along with coffee grounds! Mybuilder.com’s advice is that if you do break the rules, immediately run hot water and leave it running for several minutes, adding lots of soap, to keep everything in liquid form until it’s out of your pipes. Don't use chemicals such as drain unblockers which are often ineffective against FOGs and can cause damage to your pipes. A simple plunger can actually be more effective. 

  

Finally, I believe I've used the term 'The best laid plans...' in a Leader previously, but I suppose with more than 35 years in the industry, it’s only to be expected that things occasionally go awry. I was due to cover the Manchester Cleaning Show this week without John Austen who had commitments back at base, but came a cropper last week when the lace of one hiking boot got caught in the hook of the other as I was running. Readers in Australia may have felt the impact when I hit the pavement! The Manchester Shows are always lively with loads to see and interesting people to meet up with. I'm disappointed not to be there and hope that everyone involved is having a good couple of days.