How to avoid blockages
Blockages can be unpleasant, especially if they result in sewer flooding – and it all starts with what you put down your toilets and drains.
What causes blockages?
We deal with around 13,000 blockages on our network every year with around 75% of them involving disposable items.
The most common causes of blockages are:
- wet wipes, including those labelled flushable
- sanitary items, such as towels and tampons
- fats, oils, grease and food leftovers.
How to keep your home blockage-free
To keep your home blockage-free, only flush the three Ps: paper, pee and poo.
You should also avoid putting fats, oils, grease and food leftovers down your sink drain.
Watch this video to learn more about how to avoid blockages in your home.
Avoiding blockages in the bathroom
Wet wipes are one of the biggest causes of blockages because they don’t break down in the same way as toilet paper when flushed.
You should never flush any of the following items:
- wet wipes, including make-up, cleaning and baby wipes (even if they say ‘flushable’)
- nappies
- cotton buds
- plasters and bandages
- tampons and applicators
- sanitary and incontinence pads
- any other sanitary products.
You can help the environment by avoiding single-use items in general. Try using reusable alternatives where possible.
Avoiding blockages in the kitchen
Your drain is not designed to carry FOGs and food leftovers. When put down the drain, they can lead to blockages.
To prevent blockages in the kitchen:
- scrape leftover food into the bin
- wipe grease from plates and pans before washing
- use sink strainers to catch any small bits of food
- dispose of coffee grounds and kitchen roll in the bin.
The impact of blockages
Blockages can be expensive and damaging to both your home and the environment.
In your home
They can lead to sewage backing up into your bathroom or kitchen through the toilet or sink. If the blockage is on a section of pipework you are responsible for, it could also leave you with an expensive plumbing bill.
In the environment
Blockages can burst sewers or cause them to overflow, resulting in wipes and other disposable items making their way into rivers and the sea, which can harm local wildlife and their habitats.
Order our free waste devices
If we provide your sewerage services, you can order free waste devices from us to help keep your drains clear of blockages.
Before you place your order, please enter your postcode to check if you are eligible.