How Do I Know If I Have A Blocked Drain? 

Having a blocked drain in Wirral can be a nightmare problem to have. It can be a stressful experience, and sometimes you’re forced to spend money you might not necessarily have to fix. The good news is that there are signs you can look out for before your drain becomes too problematic.

Because it can be difficult to know what to look out for when your drain is blocked, we have put together the most common indicators of a blocked drain to help you. The sooner you can spot these signs, the more likely you will prevent damage to your drains and pipes.

Signs That Your Drain Is Blocked In Wirral

Raised Water Levels

This is a common sign to look out for in your toilet. If you go to flush it and the water rises higher than usual, that’s a tell tale sign that something is stopping the water from draining away properly. Not to worry, you can usually solve a simple blockage like this yourself by using a plunger to help shift whatever is stuck, and the water level should go back down to its normal level.

If you try to flush the toilet and the water keeps rising, causing it to overflow, there is a more severe problem with your drains. You may want to call for a professional to help fix your Wirral drain block.

Strange Noises Coming From The Drains

Sometimes you may hear an unusual gurgling sound coming from your drain. When you have a blockage in your drain and try to run water down it, the air gets trapped when the water is forced to flow around the clog. It’s the trapped air that causes the gurgling sound.

The most common place this happens is the kitchen sink. This is because many people pour grease, oil and other substances down the sink, which builds up over time, sticks to the edges of the pipes and causes a blockage. It’s best to dispose of these thicker liquids in the bin.

Horrible Smells

Clogged drains commonly release foul odours. A likely cause of this is food scraps going down the drain. Food waste easily sticks to the pipes, and if left untreated, will decompose and cause smelly odours to spread through your home.

You can either use chemical cleaners or some household items to keep your pipes clean and prevent this from happening.

Slow Draining Water

If your Wirral drain is blocked, you’re very likely to notice that water drains much slower than expected. Depending on what’s causing the blockage, the water has to strain through or around the clog, which causes it to drain slowly.

A build-up of grease and grime is a frequent cause for this, so make sure you’re not putting foreign objects or substances down your drains that shouldn’t be there.

Prevention Is Key

When it comes to drains, the best thing you can do is to prevent blockages from happening in the first place. There are various reasons why a drain block happens in Wirral, which can be easily avoided.

Watch What You Flush

The only things that you should flush down the toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Flushing unwanted objects like baby wipes, feminine hygiene products and cotton buds down the toilet will clog it. They can’t break down anywhere near as easily as toilet paper, so it’s best to dispose of these in the bin.

Speaking of toilet paper, try to keep the amount you use to a minimum. Too much luxurious multi-ply sheets of paper down the toilet has been known to cause blockages, although it’s not a common problem.

Avoid Pouring Grease, Fat Or Oil Down Your Drains

Many people think that just because oil and grease slide easily down the drain, it doesn’t cause problems. This is far from the truth. These thicker liquids are notorious for sticking and setting to the inside of the pipes, which creates a solid blockage over time. It can be harder to remove a clog like this, so it’s best to dispose of these in the bin.

Not only is it essential to avoid oil and grease to keep your own drain from blocking, but it’s also important for the sewers too. Many sewers get blocked by these substances and can cause problems for the drainage of the whole neighbourhood.

Use Sink Strainers

Sink strainers are great tools to use for your sink, bath and shower plugholes. When placed over your plughole, this handy tool acts as a sieve and helps catch food scraps, hair, bath salts, and other objects that shouldn’t run down your drain.

You can find sink strainers in most DIY shops and some supermarkets, and they come in metal, mesh or silicone materials. If you use one, make sure that you remove it regularly and clean it out to keep it working effectively.

Brush Your Hair Before Bathing/Showering

Before entering your bath or shower, brushing your hair is highly recommended, especially if you have long hair. This ensures that you remove as many loose hairs as possible so that when you wash your hair, fewer strands will run down your drain.

If you have a dog to wash, the best thing to do is use a washcloth to cover the plughole. Because a dog sheds so much hair, even a drain cover will get clogged up.

No Food Waste Down The Drain

As mentioned before, food scraps will attach to your pipes and create a build-up over time. You should always scrape the food off into the bin before cleaning your dinnerware in the sink to ensure the least amount of food makes its way down the drain.

Use Enzyme Cleaning Sticks

These handy sticks are designed to digest grease, fat, oil and soapy residue. The natural enzymes are great for helping to keep your drains clear and prevent smelly odours when used frequently. All you have to do is pop one down the plughole and leave it to work its magic in the pipes.

We hope you have taken some value from these tips and feel more confident about what to look out for if your drain is blocked in Wirral. Remember, prevention is key, so it’s best to keep your drains clean and avoid putting things down that shouldn’t be there. Doing so will mean you’re much less likely to cause a blockage at all and will save you time and money in getting it fixed.

If you have a blocked drain in Wirral that you can’t shift yourself, Mersey Rod is here to help. Our experienced and professional staff are available 24/7 for all your drain problems. We strive in providing top-quality service for our customers and tailor our services to suit individual drainage problems.

Our prices are fixed, and there is no call out charge, so you will always know what you’re paying before we arrive. There are never any hidden charges! If you have a drain that requires urgent unblocking, get in touch with us, and we will help you as soon as we can. Our engineers are always happy to offer friendly advice.