Blocked Drains

Blocked drains are a very common and frustrating problem for home owners and businesses alike. There’s nothing worse than trying to flush the loo and having the toilet bowl fill up with water that won’t drain!

There are three signs to watch for that will tell you there may be a blockage in one of your drains. I have outlines these signs below:

If you empty a sink, basin or tub and a gurgling noised can be heard there may be trapped air trying to escape your pipes. This is caused by a blockage trapping air and water.
(Pardon the Pun) If you flush the toilet and the water level rises higher than normal it is likely that something solid and very stubborn is trapped and doesn’t want to be flushed away.
If there is a damp smell in your bathroom (and it not just from the towels left on the ground) it could be that your floor waste trap is jammed packed with hair, dead skin and other not so lovely odds and ends.

Now if you notice any of these signs it is advisable that you speak with a plumber and don’t follow any of those DIY columns that recommend pouring caustic acids (drano, Drain opener, Liquid plumber etc.) down your drain. These products are toxic to touch or breath and while they may work once or twice it could be affecting your pipework, joins in the pipe and the glue that keeps your pipework from leaking. Trust me; having a plumber come to clear your full toilet is much better than having them come to repair damaged pipework in your walls after a leak occurs – not to mention the possible damage to your walls and furniture.

There are some things you can do in order to prevent blockages. I have listed a few hints for you below:

Monitor your drains to catch a blockage early before it gets worse.
Dispose of waste correctly. Never flush away items such as face wipes, nappies, cotton wool and never poor oil down your kitchen drain.
Keep your drains clear of plants and leaf matter. If you have a lot of tree in your garden install gutter guard on your gutters and drain guards over any drains to prevent leaf matter from building up and causing a blockage.
Rinse before loading your dishwasher. Always rinse plates and cutlery before loading it into your dishwasher. Excess food on dishes will end up in your drains and overtime can cause a blockage.

Having a blocked drain doesn’t need to be a stressful or costly situation. In a lot of cases the blockage can be cleared within a short visit from our plumber using our special drain clearing equipment. This doesn’t have to be a costly if dealt with promptly.

If you have any questions about blocked drains or have a drain that needs clearing please do not hesitate to call us. Our tradesmen will be more than happy to assist you in any way they can.