Blocked Drains

Blocked drains are a common problem for many householders, causing sinks to drain slowly, and nasty smells outside the home. Flooding is also a major problem. In the majority of cases, these can be fixed quickly and easily without the need for a plumber, as long as the drain is cleared before too much build-up occurs.

Drains block up for a number of reasons. In autumn, it is particularly common to have drains clog with leaves from gutters. Typically, this is not a major issue as the leaves decompose, and can easily be shifted by hand or a shovel, as they will not normally fall through the grate of the drain.

Drains fed directly from a kitchen sink are often the worst offenders, as so many bits of food washed from plates and pans fall past the plughole and into the drain. Usually, the outlet is fed into the drain beneath the grate, making the blockage much harder to access. Food products will also decompose, causing nasty smells. Also, drains fed from toilets can be problematic, although in most cases as long as the flush clears the toilet, the drain will not have an issue.

In most cases, common sense can be used to prevent blockages. By being careful not to leave food products in the sink, or by not leaving hairs in the bath, residue will not make it to the drain to actually cause a problem. There are a number of products available which can be poured into the plughole to dissolve any debris stuck in the U-bend, which will prevent the debris from becoming a blockage. Additionally, do not flush objects such as nappies or sanitary towels down the toilet.

Drains should also be checked regularly - lift the drain cover, and ensure that the grate is not blocked. If it is, simply scrape the covering material into a bin or bucket, to ensure it cannot re-block the drain. Guttering should also be checked, as it too can become easily blocked, particularly in autumn, when leaves become a major issue.

If a drain does become blocked, there are several ways of clearing it. It is possible to clear it yourself, depending on the location of the block - it may be possible to reach into the drain and clear the blockage. You should wear a strong pair of gloves, and scoop out the residue into a bucket for later disposal. Simply leaving it by the drain could simply re-block the drain if rain washes the residue back in. Alternatively, it is possible to buy chemicals which dissolve the residue. The chemicals will also scour the pipe, leaving it clean inside. However, chemicals must be handled carefully, as they can cause damage to both you and the area around the drain. There may also be environmental issues in some areas, which prevent the use of chemical cleaners.

If an inside drain, such as a sink or a toilet, becomes blocked, then a plunger is probably the best way to clear it. Simply stick the plunger over the offending drain, and pump it up and down several times. This creates a vacuum, followed by pressure, and will remove all but the most stubborn of indoor blockages.

If you cannot unblock the drain, you will require a plumber. There are some services specialising simply in drain un-blocking, though any qualified plumber should be able to fix a blockage very quickly. Typically, a high pressure water jet is used, which powers away the blockage. For more stubborn blockages, electro-mechanical apparatus can be used which grinds and cuts away more stubborn debris. This is used mainly in commercial premises with large drains carrying more debris. Long-standing deposits are more likely in commercial drains, and these are much harder to remove.