Pro Blocked Drains is a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year, emergency drainage company providing services for blocked drains. We have a network of local drainage experts covering the UK who can help you with your drain blockage problem.
Wessex Water recognizes that the Bristol area has a greater risk of sewer blockages than some other parts of the country, as sewer capacity can become easily overloaded during heavy storms and sewer misuse. They recommend that homeowners should flush nothing down the drain other than the 3 P’s (pee, poo, and toilet paper).
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Other items such as wet wipes, nappies, and sanitary products should not be flushed down the toilet regardless of their labeling. And you should avoid the temptation to pour away fats, oils, or grease down the kitchen sink, as this creates ‘fatbergs’. This type of sewer misuse can lead to blockages which can cause sewer flooding and the Bristol area already has an above-average risk for blockages because of sewer misuse.
As a responsible homeowner in Bristol, you can do your part to help Wessex Water manage the sewage system effectively, and prevent it from getting overloaded, by taking care to prevent any drain blockage in your own home. And by helping the water authority, you are helping yourself too as blocked drains in the home can lead to damage to your property if pipes burst or wastewater overflows and soak into your floors, ceilings, or the walls.
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So, what practical steps can you take to prevent blocked drains in your home in Bristol?
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Well, a simple one is to include a drain sieve on every sink. Debris such as hair, loose tea leaves, and vegetable peelings can be easily prevented from being flushed into the drainage system and creating a blockage risk. Similarly, coffee grounds can be disposed of in the compost and cooking oil poured back into bottles and thrown into the household garbage.
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Another step you can take is to organize drain jetting on a regular basis to clear any residual debris and prevent any buildup. Once you know your drainage system is clear, you can take measures to prevent problems in the future.
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But if you do have a blocked drain now which needs clearing, there are some simple techniques you can use:
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It’s not the most pleasant thing to do, but the easiest and most cost-effective method to remove a drain blockage is by hand. Wearing heavy-duty gloves to protect your hands and forearms, lift the drain cover and, with the help of a torch, locate the blockage and pull it out.
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You can assist the process by bending a metal coat hanger into a hook and using it to reach deeper along the pipe. If someone has put the wrong type of paper down the toilet or simply just too much of it, removing some may make it then possible to flush the rest away.
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A drain snake is a long flexible steel cable that is wound with a handle or attached to an electric drill for easier operation. It moves along the drain in a twisting motion, catching debris as it travels through. When you pull the drain snake back out, it removes the debris along with it.
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To unblock a toilet drain, find and lift the drain cover and insert the drain snake. You may need to repeat the process a few times until the toilet water begins to flow freely again. If you are using this method to unblock a toilet, wear long protective gloves and a face mask and take care not to let any of the dirty water splash into your face as it will be full of bacteria, which could make you ill.
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Mixing vinegar and bicarbonate of soda together causes a chemical reaction that is caustic and will fizz and bubble. By tipping equal quantities, first the bicarbonate of soda and then the vinegar into the drain, you can use this chemical reaction to dislodge the offending blockage and allow for it to be flushed away using hot water.
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Note well that you must mix the two chemicals in the drain, not a jug as they react immediately. Then leave the mixture to do its work for 20-30 minutes before flushing the system with hot water. You must take care to wear protective gloves, as the caustic mixture can burn your hands. Also, if you have plated fittings around the drain, take care to pour the mixture directly into the drain to prevent any damage to the decoration.
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You may prefer to buy a commercial drain unblocker and there are quite a few available from larger supermarkets or D.I.Y. centers to choose from. Here are a few recommendations:
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Thrift T-600 Alkaline drain cleaner is activated in just a few seconds when you add it to boiling water. It does not have any odor and is available in crystal form, so is easy to use.
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Pure lye drain opener has an odorless non-acidic formula. The strength of this
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the formula is industry level and is suitable for plastic and chrome pipes.
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Drano Max Drain gel is another efficient drain unblocker on the market. Its
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concentration is thick and helps to dissolve dirt of all kinds. If the blockage is not too stubborn, then you can use a diluted form of this unblocking gel.
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Green Gobbler is suitable to remove blockages of all types. It has a strong
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formula and is caustic, so care should be taken when using it.
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With Bristol’s best professional drain unblocker, you should pay attention to personal safety and wear heavy-duty protective gloves and safety goggles to avoid any injury caused by chemical burns, allergic reactions, or physical damage. If you are unsure what you are doing or have any allergies, you may prefer to call on the professionals for help instead and take no risk.
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Toilet and drain unblocking is dirty, smelly, and time-consuming work, especially when you are unsure what to do. And there is always a risk of making the situation worse. But if you live in Bristol, you don’t have to attempt the work yourself.
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Pro Blocked Drains is a well-known national company serving customers all over the UK and with a local office in Bristol. Professional, friendly, and efficient, Pro Blocked Drains offers you:
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So, next time you have a blocked drain in Bristol, or simply want to prevent a problem from occurring in the future, call 0800 611 82 99. We’ll be pleased to help you at any time of the day or night. Learn more information about the importance of Drain Unblocking Near Me in Poole