FAQs

Sometimes it can take a while for a blockage to build up and become obvious. It’s important to be aware of the signs of a blocked drain so you can fix it before it causes any long-term damage. Here are some tell-tale signs of a blocked drain:

• Your toilet, shower, bath or sink is draining slowly or not at all
• If flushing the toilet causes water to rise in the shower, or running taps causes the water in the toilet to rise
• If any appliances which use water are causing water to rise elsewhere, including external drains
• A bad smell – this can often be the first signed of a blocked drain
• Gurgling noises from drains, plug holes, flushing your toilet and in your pipes.

Fixing a blocked toilet can be tricky depending on what has caused the problem. The most common at-home remedy is combining baking soda and vinegar, pouring the mixture into the bowl and flushing the toilet. However, this solution will not clear stubborn blockages, you will most likely have to call a plumber to resolve the issue at hand.

Many factors can cause a blocked drain, from pouring grease and oil down your sink to hair clogging up your bath or shower drain. There are many methods that can be used to unblock a drain including pouring boiling water down the drain; using a plunger (about 10 strokes should do the trick); baking soda and vinegar or using a coat hanger. Give us a call if you need further help! To prevent future blockages avoid pouring liquid down the drain that may solidify or clock the pipes and add a drain trap to your bathtubs and showers.

Blocked drains are a common residential issue and can be an expensive and time-consuming job if not fixed correctly. There are many different reasons drains get blocked including tree roots, hard food waste, soap or small objects. Blocked drains and pipes can quickly escalate into major problems like slow water drainage or flooding, and could result in costly repairs. Let Hello Plumbing investigate the issue before it gets to that point!