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Blocked drains are a common issue in households across the UK. With food debris and grease often getting washed down the drain during clean up, it's no surprise so many people find themselves dealing with slow draining or completely blocked sinks. Many people think that pouring boiling water down the drain will dissolve these blockages but in reality you could be making the problem significantly worse.

According to Ankit Sehgal, owner of Swiftdrain, the post-Christmas period is one of the busiest times of year for emergency plumber call-outs caused by this exact mistake. He said: "People assume boiling water will melt fat and solve the issue instantly. In reality, it often pushes the problem deeper into the pipework and damages the pipes at the same time."

As the water cools, the grease resolidifies further down the drain and often ends up harder than it was to dislodge. He said: "Once it cools, it hardens into a thicker, more stubborn blockage.

"Each time you do it, you're layering more fat further down. Eventually, the pipe becomes almost completely blocked."

Furthermore, many homes in the UK have plastic pipes which can be damaged by boiling water. These are even more common under sinks, where fat buildup is more likely to occur.

He said: "Boiling water can soften plastic pipes, weakening joints and causing small leaks. Those leaks often go unnoticed until serious damage has occurred."

To protect your pipes against damage and blockages, he advises trying to avoid blocking them in the first place.

Never pour fat down the drain, and try your best to ensure all kitchen scraps are removed from plates before they get rinsed in the sink.

If you want to clear your drains, Ankit suggests a combination of warm water and a little dishwashing liquid.

He said: "If you notice slow drainage, stop using the sink heavily. Continuing to add waste only makes the blockage grow."

If you notice persistent slow drainage, a gurgling sound or a bad smell - it's time to call in the professionals. Once these signs start, there's little you can do at home to fix them.