Common drain blockages and how to fix them
Common drain blockages can be caused by various actions, including flushing hair, baby wipes and grease down the drain. Food waste, toiletries and non-flushable items can all create issues in your system.
What can I do about grease and fat build-up?
Grease and fat can solidify inside drains, causing blockages over time. To fix this, pour boiling water down the drain to help melt the grease. Follow this by pouring a mixture of vinegar and baking soda down the drain to break down the residue. Alternatively, use commercial drain cleaners specifically designed to dissolve grease.
Food waste can block drains
Food scraps, coffee grounds and other organic matter can accumulate in kitchen drains, leading to blockages. Use a sink strainer to catch food particles and prevent them from entering the drain in the first place. You can flush the drain with hot water and vinegar to break down food. Avoid putting large scraps like potato peelings and eggshells down the drain.
If the problem persists and you require a CCTV drain survey Loughborough, drain experts such as www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/drainage-services-cctv-surveys-midlands/cctv-drain-surveys/cctv-drain-surveys-loughborough are on hand to provide this specialised service.
Hair clumps can easily block drains
Hair is a common cause of blockages in bathroom drains, particularly in showers and sinks. Use a wire hook to remove hair clogs from the drain. Alternatively, pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain to dissolve the build-up.
According to the Daily Record, the simplest thing to do is to pour hot water down the drain. This will just cost you the price of putting the kettle on.
Only flush toilet paper down the toilet
Items such as wet wipes, cotton pads and sanitary products are not designed to be flushed down the toilet. Dispose of these in the bin. Use only toilet paper that is labelled as flushable. Other items like cotton balls, dental floss and baby wipes should never be flushed down the toilet. They are commonly disposed of improperly in the UK. Again, throw these in the bin rather than flushing them down the toilet.
