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It’s autumn, it’s raining and the Met Office has issued weather alerts for the next two days, with heavy downpours creating havoc across three parts of the country on Tuesday, November 4 and Bonfire Night, Wednesday November 5. And when the conditions become very wet, one area of your house that gets tested - and doesn’t always pass that test - is your drains, reports Express.co.uk . When autumn arrives, drains on the side of your house can soon clog up with leaves, twigs and other dirt and dust, while food waste down your kitchen drains can also block up outdoor drains, such as fat, grease and even rice and bits of food grime. READ MORE: Health alert to anyone visiting parks as experts issue four symptoms of illness Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp , click the link to join However there is one quick and easy method to get a blocked kitchen drain working again - and it doesn’t need expensive chemicals, just a regular bottle of washing up liquid, say experts. According to plumbing and home maintenance firm Maintracts, outdoor drains that are linked to the kitchen sink can be freed quickly using simple washing up liquid (which costs as little as 62p) and hot water. Notably this tip is only for drains connected to the kitchen sink - don't pour it down a drain that's just for rainwater from the roof as chemical-based washing up liquid is harmful for watercourses and can kill wildlife. For the best chance of limiting impact on the environment, opt for a plant-based washing up liquid which doesn't contain chemical surfactants. Maintracts says: “Fat, oil and grease (commonly known as FOG) are among the biggest culprits behind blocked gullies and outside drains. “When hot grease is poured down the sink, it may seem harmless. "But as it cools in your foul water drain, it hardens and sticks to the pipe walls. "Eventually, this sticky mess collects other debris, such as food scraps, soap scum and dirt, creating a solid, immovable blockage. “This is especially problematic in outdoor drains, which are more exposed to the elements and can easily become a magnet for garden debris, mud and litter, thereby exacerbating the blockage.” To tackle this, simply use a mixture of washing up liquid and hot water. They added: “One of the simplest ways to unblock outside drain blockages caused by fat is to pour boiling water mixed with a generous amount of washing-up liquid into the drain. “The boiling water helps melt the fat, while the soap breaks it down, making it easier to flush away. "Ensure to do this slowly to allow the heat and detergent time to work. "Repeat the process several times for optimal results.” Once you have managed to unstick the blockage, there are ways to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Maintracts adds: “Here’s how to keep your drains clear and flowing
