When it comes to finding out if you have a blocked drain, many people are unsure about what signs to look out for. Sometimes you may know you have a blocked drain, but simply don’t know what to do, whether it’s tackle to the blockage yourself or whether it is necessary to call out a plumber. As we can have been in the industry for over 30 years, we feel we are obliged to provide you with the information to be able to identify a blockage effectively and to help you know when it is necessary to call out a plumber. Finding the blockage early enough could save you great amounts of money in the long run.

Key indications of a blocked drain:

  • Water levels in the toilet are higher than usual, particularly when it is flushed.
  • Water levels in the toilet are lower than usual.
  • The toilet is taking longer to drain when flushed.
  • Bad smells rising out of sinks, the toilet or any type of drain in the home.
  • Gurgling sounds coming from the drain.

How to deal with a blocked drain:

A blocked toilet –

In the common, yet embarrassing circumstance your toilet is blocked, our first and foremost tip is to NOT FLUSH! Continuing to add water into the system may cause the toilet to overflow, which then leaves you with a lot of mess to clear up.

The best thing to do is to starting plunging. Needless to say, be sure to wear some rubber gloves and protective clothing and attempt to unblock the toilet this way. If you notice the water levels begin to drop back to normal level, you may now try to flush the toilet in order to identify if the toilet is functioning properly now.

DO NOT add any chemicals into the system, although they are known to clear drains and blockages, they are also known to cause skin irritation and in some cases burns!

If plunging doesn’t seem to do the trick or you have recurring blockages, we advise you call a professional plumbers firm in Sheffield, or wherever you may live, as they will be able to safely and efficiently find out where the issue is.

A blocked sink/bathroom plughole –

A blocked sink or plughole could be caused from a variety of different things, ranging from hair in the bath or shower, food in the kitchen sink and general debris.

One way you could attempt to tackle bad smells rising from your drains and slow-running water, is to use baking soda and vinegar on it. Try pouring half a box of baking soda down the drain, then pour vinegar over the top to create a foaming action. Once this is done allow it to settle for a while, then rinse with warm water. This should, fingers crossed, clear away any debris and lodged food. If not, you will need a professional to take a look at it.

Most people will try various ways of clearing blockages by using products such as blocked drain chemicals and plunging, however these methods don’t always work. If you find yourself in this situation, feel free to call our plumbing team on 01226 755661 or email us at enquiries@nubuildgroup.co.uk to allow us to help you with your drainage problems.