{"id":1020,"date":"2025-10-13T10:05:53","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T10:05:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentokil-hygiene.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1020"},"modified":"2026-03-03T09:43:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T09:43:48","slug":"unblocktober-drain-maintenance-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentokil-hygiene.co.uk\/blog\/unblocktober-drain-maintenance-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Unblocktober: Take Control of Your Drains"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

October carries more than autumn leaves. It brings Unblocktober<\/strong><\/a>, launched in 2019, this month-long national campaign and awareness month aims to improve the health of drains, sewers, watercourses and seas by encouraging people to think about what they pour into drains, sewers and waterways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal: reduce block drain<\/strong> incidents, prevent blocked drains<\/strong>, and protect communities from flooding. Join the move to \u201cBin it, don\u2019t block it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, we spotlight the most common drainage issues, explain how flooding magnifies them, and show you how to keep pipes open and water where it belongs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top five common drainage problems<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Fat, oil and grease build-up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Leftover cooking fat solidifies in pipes, catching food scraps and soap residue like glue. Over time, this builds into layers, leading to drain blockages<\/strong>. Thames Water recently removed a 100-tonne fatberg from a London sewer<\/a>; a giant sticky mass of fat, wipes and rubbish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be aware that flooding can push excess grease into peripheral drains, accelerating clog growth and triggering backups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Non-flushable items and wipes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wet wipes, cotton pads, and sanitary products don\u2019t break down. They can easily clog pipes and mix with grease, forming dense blockages deep underground. This is a leading cause of blocked sewer<\/strong> issues in urban areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Tree roots and pipe cracks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tree roots naturally seek moisture. A tiny crack in a drain can let roots grow inside the pipe, squeezing it closed. When flooding fills the ground with water, roots expand faster and exploit the damage, worsening the blocked pipe problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Surface water overload<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Heavy rain stresses outdoor drains. If a blocked outside drain<\/strong> already exists, that stress becomes overflow. Streets, gardens and basements flood when gullies or drains cannot cope. With almost one in six properties in England at risk of flooding<\/a>, drainage resilience matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Collapsed or misaligned pipes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Age, shifting soil, vehicle loads or ground movement can distort pipes. Even a slight misalignment reduces flow, making it easier for a drain blockage<\/strong> to occur. Floodwater pressure then forces debris into weak points, escalating damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Street<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to unblock drains (when it\u2019s safe)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Start with the simple first. Clear any debris from grilles and gullies. Use a plunger or a drain snake to gently coax blockages free. Baking soda added to white vinegar can help to loosen minor clogs.But if the drain problem sits deeper, for example, a blocked drain outside<\/strong> or a clogged sewer line,<\/strong> call professionals with high-pressure jetting or CCTV inspection tools. Those techniques can locate and remove the cause without damaging your pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it\u2019s an emergency<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If water is backing into toilets, sinks or showers, or foul smells are rising from outdoor drains, these are signs of serious trouble. That is when \u201cemergency drain unblocking\u201d is necessary. Delay invites flooding, contamination and structural damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Floodwater plus sewage is dangerous. In a report<\/a>, many households that faced sewer flooding<\/strong> described longer-term stress, property damage and poor support from water companies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responsibility for blocked drains outside<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Who is responsible depends on where the blockage lies. Homeowners handle private drains within property boundaries. Local water companies are responsible for public sewer lines. If a blocked sewer drain pipe<\/strong> falls under the utility\u2019s domain, they must manage it.Landlords and businesses must maintain internal drains. If negligence in your building leads to an issue with a blocked drain outside<\/strong>, you may be liable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proactive steps for Unblocktober and beyond<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unblocktober is your prompt to act. Take these steps now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n