At some point in our lives, most of us will be faced with a blocked drain.
Whether that’s your kitchen sink, shower drain or an external drain, a blocked drain can occur at any time. In many cases, blocked drains are avoidable. But unfortunately, there’s sometimes not much you can do to prevent a clogged drain from disrupting your life.
We’ve put together a blog post explaining everything you should know about blocked drains, and what to do if you have one.
Trent’s Drains fix blocked drains in Bristol and the South West region. For emergency drain unblocking, contact us today on 0117 949 0155.
What Causes Blocked Drains?
There are various things that can lead to blocked drains. Some are avoidable. Some, unfortunately, are not.
The most common causes of blocked drains include:
- Hair
- Soap scum
- Food waste
- Fat or oil
- Toilet tissue or wipes
- Sanitary products
- Mud
- Tree roots
- Leaves
Things like hair or fat are more likely to affect inside drains. While tree roots or fallen leaves can often find their way into outside drains and pipes. To find out more about these common causes, read our blog on the 5 Most Common Causes of Drain Blockages.
Am I Responsible for My Blocked Drain?
Whether you are responsible for the cost of fixing your blocked drain depends on a few factors. If you own the property on which the blockage occurs, you will usually be responsible. Depending on the blockage, the work may be covered under your home insurance policy. For example, damage caused by tree roots. It is therefore worth checking with your insurance provider.
If you are a tenant, a blocked drain may be your responsibility if it was you who caused the blockage by, for example, putting sanitary products down the toilet. However, if the blockage is due to structural reasons, such as tree roots, the landlord is responsible. According to the Landlords and Tenants Act 1985, a landlord must keep “in repair and proper working order” installations including “basins, sinks, baths and sanitary conveniences”.
For drains that are outside of the property boundaries, your local authority or water company may be responsible. If you notice a blocked or flooded drain on your street, for example, contact your water company as they may not yet be aware of the issue.
What are the Signs of a Blocked Drain?
If you’re unlucky enough to be faced with a blocked drain, it’s important to know the signs so you can take action before some real damage occurs.
The key signs to look out for include:
- A bad smell from the drain
- Slow draining water
- Rising water levels
- Gurgling and whooshing noises
If you notice any of these signs, contact your local drain unblocking experts sooner rather than later to tackle the problem.
Can Blocked Drains Lead to More Serious Problems?
If you’ve got a problem with a clogged drain, it could quickly turn into a more serious issue if left untreated. Blocked drains can pose a health risk to you and the property’s occupants. And, if water backs up from the sewer, due to a blocked drain, being exposed to it could be very serious.
Blocked drains that aren’t treated can eventually cause serious leaks or flooding. This can damage your property, cause damp problems or even, in the most serious cases, lead to subsidence.
What to Do if You Have a Drain Blockage
With minor blockages, you may be able to remove these yourself using a drain snake, which you can buy from most hardware shops. You can also try to clear the drain by using a combination of boiling water and baking soda. However, this is only a minor fix.
For severe blockages, contact a drain unblocking expert.
At Trent’s Drains, we use the latest technology and equipment to assess drainage issues and fix blockages. These include:
- CCTV surveys
- High-pressure water jetting
- Mechanical drain cleaning
Contact us for emergency blocked drains in Bristol and the South West. Call 0117 949 0155.
And to find out more about blocked drains, read our FAQs.
