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TM Hughes & Son

TM Hughes & Son

Plumber & Heating Engineer Based in South Woodham Ferrers covering the whole of Essex

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Preventing Blockages

preventing-blockages

Blocked pipes and drains in the household are at best inconvenient and at worst damaging. Our Plumbers are regularly called out to unblock pipes and drain all over Essex.

While it’s always nice to see old customers and meet new ones, a blocked pipe is an unnecessary expense and inconvenience to our customers.

Blockages in the sewer will not only cause you problems they can affect your neighbour as well.

Avoid blocked pipes and drains by taking these simple precautions. As with all Plumbing, emergencies prevention is better than cure.

Here are a few steps you can take to prevent blockages.

1, Never pour fat down the sink or toilet

Grease and cooking oil will go down the drain when it’s hot. Many people assume this is ok, but it’s not. Fats and oils will quickly cool and solidify over time this will build up blocking your pipes.

Even if the fat goes into the sewer, it will eventually stop somewhere and solidify. Enough people in your neighbourhood do this, and a ‘Fat Berg’ could occur. Fat Bergs are becoming more common in UK sewers a combination of fat, grease, oil and non-biodegradable materials such as baby wipes.

All this matter builds up into a huge solid mass that eventually gets too big to move down the sewer. Fat Bergs are very difficult to remove. They have blocked entire sewers causing misery for lots of homeowners. Fat Bergs are also a health risk and bad for the environment. Don’t contribute to building one.

2, Pour Boiling Water Down The Sink

While cooking and washing up fat may unintentionally go down the sink. Don’t worry, pour some boiling water down the sink to break down the fat. Pour boiling water as soon as you can after a fat spillage, before the fat cools and solidifies.

Pouring boiling water down your sink once in a while will help keep your pipes clear also, not a bad habit to develop. Regular use of drain cleaners will also help in keeping your pipes clear.

3, Scrape Your Plates

Food is a prime cause of blocked pipes before you wash up, make sure you scrape as much food as possible from your plates, pans and cooking utensils. Removing food waste before washing up will minimise bits of food going down the drain. A basket strainer will catch food and any other unwanted bits and bobs that can cause blockages.

4, Only Two Things Should Go Down The Toilet

All sorts of objects block Toilets. The only two things that should go down the Toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Nothing else should ever be flushed down the Toilet. So don’t put anything else down your Toilet even if you think it will be ok. For more information see Seven items you should never flush down the Toilet

Following the steps above will ensure you remain blockage free. Get in touch if your suffering from a blockage or need any further advice.

Copyright © 2025 T.M. Hughes & Son Gas Services Ltd, All Rights Reserved | Company No: 05296815 | Registered in England | VAT: 858 935 366 | Built by Roysearch

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