3 min read
Blocked drain: common causes and what to try
Most household blockages build up slowly. A few habits help prevent them, and a couple of simple steps can clear a mild one.
Common causes
- Fat, oil and grease poured down the sink, which cool and harden
- Wipes, even ones sold as flushable
- Hair and soap scum in showers and basins
- Food waste and coffee grounds
- Tree roots, which can get into cracked underground pipes
What to try first
- 1Use a plunger with a good seal over the plughole, with some water in the basin or sink.
- 2Remove and clean the plug and any visible hair or debris.
- 3Flush hot (not boiling) water down a slow sink to help move grease along.
- 4If it is still blocked, stop. Repeated forcing can make things worse.
When it is not just a blockage
If several drains are slow, if you hear gurgling, or if a blockage keeps coming back, the problem may be further along the pipe. A camera survey shows what is actually there, without digging.
We offer a free drainage CCTV survey for homes and commercial properties. Underground pipework to the main public sewer is not covered by the plan, and work there may be chargeable with a quote agreed first.
General guidance only, not a substitute for advice from a qualified engineer. If you are in any doubt, stop and ask a professional.