Blocked drains are a common issue in many Berkshire homes, especially those with clay soil, older pipe systems or heavy tree cover. A few preventative steps can help reduce the risk of blockages, foul smells and costly repairs. Avoid flushing the wrong items, fit filters and guards, check your external drains, flush pipes safely and call in professionals when warning signs appear. These actions support a clean, reliable drainage system throughout the year.
Avoiding everyday mistakes is one of the simplest ways to protect your drainage. Flushing the wrong materials often causes blockages and sewer issues.
Wet wipes and cleaning cloths
Cooking grease, oil and leftover food scraps
Cotton pads, nappies and sanitary products
Coffee grounds, rice and pasta
These items don’t break down and often clump together with debris, according to guidance from Thames Water’s ‘Bin It, Don’t Block It’ campaign and reports from environmental authorities, leading to large build ups known as fatbergs. Even products labelled as flushable can cause long term damage. In shared homes, it helps to agree on clear rules for what can go down the drain.
“Don’t flush these 5 items even if the packaging says you can.”
Installing simple filters helps stop hair, food and leaves before they enter your drains.
Use basket strainers in kitchen sinks to catch leftover food
Fit hair traps in bathroom plugholes
Place gully grilles over outdoor drains to block leaves and grit
Even high quality filters won’t work if they’re never cleaned.
Check and rinse filters once a week
Clear build up using kitchen roll and hot water
Replace cracked or distorted covers promptly
These small tasks help prevent larger drainage issues from forming and support effective clog prevention.
Pro Tip: A simple £10 hair trap can prevent hundreds in bathroom repair costs.
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Drains benefit from regular flushing but some methods can do more harm than good.
Pour boiling water down sinks and baths once a week to clear grease and residue
Use an enzyme based cleaner monthly to break down organic matter in your pipes
Check for slow sink drainage every few months and address it early
Avoid using harsh chemical products like bleach. These can damage pipe linings, especially in older homes with clay or PVC piping. Natural enzyme based solutions help break down debris without weakening the system.
While vinegar and bicarbonate of soda can offer mild cleaning, they aren’t enough to tackle deeper blockages or prevent pipe scale over time.
Outdoor drainage is exposed to the elements and often gets overlooked.
Water pooling after heavy rain or garden flooding
Foul smells near patio or garden areas
Slower flow from connected indoor drains
With heavy rainfall and widespread clay soil, many Berkshire gardens are at higher risk of flooding. Tree roots, especially from species like willow and oak, can force their way into cracked pipes, as highlighted in many local council drainage maintenance guides and UK environmental authority reports, leading to root ingress or full pipe collapse.
In spring, inspect gullies after the frost has lifted
In autumn, clear fallen leaves once or twice a week
After storms, lift covers and remove debris by hand
Print a short reminder and keep it near your outside tap or garden shed to make checks part of your routi
Some drainage problems need specialist tools and experience to solve properly.
Gurgling pipes or plugholes
Repeated blockages in the same spot
Unpleasant odours around the property
Water backing up into sinks or toilets
Drainage specialists use high pressure jetting, CCTV drain camera inspections and rotary descales, which should only be carried out by trained professionals due to the complexity and risks involved to diagnose and fix the problem. A simple inspection could prevent long term damage and save hundreds in repairs.
Choose a trusted local expert with relevant credentials such as industry insurance, public liability cover or membership of a recognised trade body, and ask for a clear summary of the diagnostic footage before work begins.
“How we saved a landlord £850 by catching a root issue early.”
Pro Tip: Don’t rely on bleach for drain care, it damages pipes and masks deeper issues.
Carrying out a few quick checks at the start of each season can help you stay ahead of potential issues.
Check gullies for frost cracks or dislodged covers
Remove any winter storm debris
Flush unused indoor drains if you’ve been away
Watch garden drainage after watering
Sweep leaves from outdoor drains weekly
Make sure downpipes don’t spill onto hard surfaces
Wrap exposed pipework with insulation
Fit lagging to garden taps and fittings
Keep this list somewhere easy to find and use it as a reminder throughout the year.
Different rooms often show different early signs of drainage problems. Being aware of these signs helps you act quickly.
Kitchen:
Sink water drains slowly
Plugholes make bubbling sounds
Smells come from beneath the sink or near dishwasher drains
Bathroom:
Shower or bath water builds up around your feet
Toilet flushes slowly or water rises
Bubbles appear in the bowl after using other fixtures
Outdoor Areas:
Standing water appears near drain covers
Outdoor drains overflow after rain
Damp patches show around paving or near downpipe outlets
Recognising these signals early on allows you to act before major problems develop.
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Booking a drain survey helps pin point unseen issues and gives peace of mind if you’ve had recurring problems. Most surveys take less than an hour and cause minimal disruption to your home or garden during the process.
A small CCTV camera is inserted through an inspection point
The footage is used to spot blockages, tree roots, collapsed pipes or scale
You’ll receive a clear report with suggestions for next steps
Surveys are quick, clean and especially useful if you live in an older home or are buying a property in the area.
Drainage problems don’t improve on their own. If you wait until water backs up or flooding starts, you’ll likely face higher costs and more disruption. A basic survey or inspection helps identify and solve problems early.
Book a drain health check with a local specialist who understands the conditions in your area. Whether you’re responding to signs or just want to prevent future issues, a small step now can save you from bigger headaches later.
Stay One Step Ahead of Drain Trouble
Book a yearly preventative inspection and avoid costly callouts.
24hrs Drainage Limited
33 Falmouth Rd, Reading RG2 8QR
0800 020 9198
Opening Hours:
Monday – Sunday : Open and available 24 hours per day
Drain Services
We provide Drainage Services across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, London, Oxfordshire, and the surrounding areas.
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If You’re Dealing With Blocked Drains Or Require Drain Repairs, You’ve Come To The Right Destination. Contact Our Team Today At 0800 0209198 For Professional Guidance And A Complimentary, No-Obligation Quote!
We are the premier providers of comprehensive drainage solutions in Reading and throughout Berkshire. With years of experience and a dedicated team of experts, we are your trusted partners for all your domestic and commercial drainage needs.
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