What to do if you have a blocked drain
It can be quite stressful when you have a blocked drain, whether its your toilet, shower, sink or bath. Knowing how to manage a blocked drain is always useful and will save you a lot of time when it comes to it.
What causes a blocked drain?
- Flushing wet wipes down the toilet – any kind of wipe does not belong in the drains, even ones that say they are suitable for flushing!
- Flushing large amounts of toilet paper at once – remember to use reasonable amounts of toilet paper when doing your business, as this is also a very common cause for a simple blocked drain!
- Any objects that aren’t meant to go down the toilet – we often find very bizarre objects stuck in drains, such as toys, phones (this has happened before!) and plastic bags. None of these objects belong in the toilet!
- Large amount of food going down the plughole – it is very easy for crumbs and food remnants to slip down the plughole without noticing, however, these will all build up and cause a large mass of food to get stuck in the drain.
- Grease and fat build up in the drains – once grease and fat goes down the drain, there is a big chance that it will solidify and form what it called a fat berg, this a large mass of fat and grease that will easily completely block the drain. They are not cheap to remove, so we recommend you try your best to prevent them.
- Masses of hair getting stuck in the drains – it can be tricky keeping any hair from going down the plug hole when showering, however, having a blockage of hair, gives other components something to cling onto, for example, shampoo, dirt and other particles that may go down the drain. This will potentially lead to a bigger blockage.
How do I know my drain is blocked?
- Slow draining water in any sink, this may be a shower plughole, bathroom or kitchen sink.
- There may be an unpleasant smell coming from the drains.
- Gurgling sounds may be heard from the drains
- Raised water levels inside the toilet.
- If you are unsure, it is best to give your local Metro Rod franchise a call.
How do I prevent a blocked drain?
- Ensure all plates are scraped clean before washing them up.
- Do NOT flush any wipes, large amounts of toilet paper or other foreign objects down the toilet.
- Clean the drains regularly – flushing the drains with hot water regularly will help break down any partial blockages, you can choose whether you use bleach or any other drain cleaners alongside the hot water.
- Purchasing a plughole cover will catch any hair, dirt, clumps of shampoo and body wash from going down the plughole. This will prevent the drain from becoming blocked.
If you need to contact us for any drainage problems, blocked toilets, overflowing manholes, CCTV surveys, gutter cleaning or anything of the kind, you can call us on 01293 989 345, our enquiry via our Kent and Sussex web page.
Talk to your local Metro Rod specialist
We are always happy to arrange a free site assessment and no obligation quotations for any work you might need. Alternatively, you can call our emergency hotline number on 0800 66 88 00
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