A warning has been issued ahead of Pancake Day to not pour batter into the drain.

FOGs (Fats, Oils, and Grease) are terrible not just for your drains, but also the nation’s sewers, where they add to the already considerable fatbergs.

A fatberg is a solid mass of waste that forms in sewers causing back up, which can lead to flooding and pollution.

Pancake batter contains oil and flour, which is notorious for sticking to pipes after being poured down the sink, according to an expert from MyBuilder.com.

This can lead to blockages which require a plumber to resolve, potentially costing hundreds of pounds. And if your blocked sink turns into an emergency call out, the bill will be even higher.

Mike Flook, an expert plumber with MyBuilder.com, said: “Pancake batter may look quite innocuous, but actually the oil and fat content can be a big issue for pipes. FOGs such as these coat your pipes and stick together, eventually resulting in blockages.

“Fixing this is probably going to cost you upwards of £100, depending on the extent of the damage. If the problem results in an emergency call out (which this sort of issue often does) then you’re likely to find yourself paying even more – and it’s such an avoidable problem.

“Should you accidentally pour FOGs down the sink, there are some steps you can take to try and help.”

It’s not just pancake batter that can cause this issue – in fact many common household leftovers can result in the same problem.

Cooking fats, cream liqueurs, and even coffee grounds all pose the same risk. However, half of Brits admit to pouring these items down the drain when they need to dispose of them.

Common items that can cause an issue include are meat fat, cooking fat, gravy, custard, and Baileys.

Mr Flook recommended a couple of things to do to try and help if you’ve poured a FOG down your sink.

Run the hot water.

Heat can help dissolve grease and fats, and keep them in liquid form until they are out of your pipes and in the sewer. Do not run the cold water as this will solidify the FOG, blocking the pipe

Use dish soap, which can gently break down FOGs. Don’t use chemicals, which can be ineffective against FOGs and damage pipes.