How to Pull the Plug on Blocked Drains!

Experiencing a blocked drain is a common problem faced by homeowners and businesses alike – and it can be expensive and time consuming to fix if not addressed properly in the first instance. Here at Mersey Rod we are a friendly, efficient and low cost drain unblocker Liverpool company who can help with your drainage needs.

How do drains get blocked?

As a trusted blocked drain company, we get all sorts of domestic call outs – sometimes we will find something out of the ordinary, but mostly it is the same old suspects that wreak havoc time and time again. Clogged drains and blocked pipes usually start as minor issues, but can quickly escalate into major problems if you don’t address them quickly.

Grease and Fat

One of the most common causes of blocked drains, grease and fat from cooking that is washed down your sink sticks to the inside of pipes and gradually clogs the drains so that no liquid can pass through.

Wipes

Baby wipes, makeup wipes and antibacterial wipes are a nightmare for your drains. Although flushing them down the toilet seems like the easiest option – it can be very costly in the near future. The wipes end up sticking together in your pipes, meaning not only the pipes will be clogged, but anything else that goes down won’t be able to reach the sewers.

Hair

One that we probably all know too well is a build up of hair down the plug hole. We don’t notice actually how much goes down the drain whilst we’re in the shower, but it does soon add up – especially with all the soap and shampoo and other products that follow, it can quickly create a large gloopy lump. It can also end up travelling further down the pipe until you can’t reach it without assistance and need to call in the drain unblockers.

Food Scraps

Another common one that we don’t see until it’s too late are all the small bits of food from your plate being washed down the sink.  Most of our food is porous and soaks up a lot of water, and can easily expand to clog the pipes in your house.

Mineral Build Up

Minerals dissolved in hard water and causes blockages in your pipes. Another ‘invisible’ culprit, they are difficult to remove once they have built up and so you will need to call a blocked drain company if your water stops flowing and draining properly.

Tree Roots

If you even have a small crack or leak in your underground pipes it can attract tree roots to grow. Once the roots have grown into your pipes, they grow larger and cause water flow to be obstructed and pipes quickly become damaged. This one is definitely one for the professionals!

Tips and ideas for ways to unblock your drains?

We all know that feeling when you are emptying a sink and it ends up draining slowly, or not at all. As professional drain unblockers, we want you to have tried everything before giving us a call. Hopefully, it is just a quick fix, and below are a few ways you can try and alleviate a clogged drain.

1. Try boiling hot water – one of the oldest tricks in the book is to heat up the kettle and pout is down the drain in a few stages. The boiling water will travel down the pipes and will help dissolve any greasy or fatty obstructions in the way.
2. Baking Soda and Vinegar – mix ½ cup of vinegar with ½ cup of baking powder and pour immediately down the drain as it will start fixing. Cover with the plug and leave over night for the best results, flushing it out with water in the morning.
3. Plungers – an old school technique that has had decades of success when it comes to blocked drains. Place the plunger firmly over the drain and plunge vigorously until you hear the suction clear the clog, the drain well with warm water
4. Chemical cleaners – If you have tried all of the home remedies, then it might be time to try a supermarket drain cleaner. Pour it down the sink and leave it to sit overnight for best results. Flush away with water in the morning and you should have a clear, unblocked drain.

What do I do if my drains get blocked?

The best way to stop major damage and issues with your pipes and drains is to prevent them in the first place. Keep an eye on what you put down the drains and you shouldn’t have many major issues. Sometimes the home remedies above work, but if it does turn into an emergency or a bigger job, Mersey Rod – a reputable drain unblocker Liverpool – are on hand with assistance to fix the problem.

How do professionals unblock drains?

Mersey Rod are an expert blocked drain company that are based in Liverpool and have full trained technicians who are skilled in identifying problems and rectifying them in the most efficient way possible.  For smaller issues, there is a straightforward way to solve the problem. For blocks in sinks and showers, a thick mild chemical is poured down and then left to sit on top of the blockage. As most household blockages are from waste food, soap, grease and hair the chemicals will slowly break down the clog and leave your drains clear and free flowing once more.

For larger, more serious jobs outdoors, professional drain unblockers use a variety of techniques to solve your problem. The most cost effective of these is water jetting. A high powered spray is directed through your pipes and can dislodge fat, grease, paper and sewage. Afterwards, you have the option of letting us inspect the drains with camera equipment to see if we can spot the root cause of the blockage – meaning we can give you advice on how to prevent it in the future.

What is the most effective drain unblocker?

It might seem like there is no benefit to calling professionals when you have a blocked drain when there is so many supermarket drain cleaners available. The truth is that these are a quick solve solution and will end up creating a bigger problem in the future.

So, while it does seem that a cheaper drain unblocker will work for you, in the long run you will probably end up spending more money having to replace all your pipes due to corrosion.

High-pressured jetting is the most cost-effective way to unblock most drains and means that most blockages can be removed in a time efficient manner with minimal interruptions to your home life. Our drainage services are tailored to each problem we encounter, and we always go the extra mile for our customers.