Odd Jobs - Bizarre Causes of Blocked Drains. Flow Sure Drains
September 19, 2020
Odd Jobs - Bizarre Causes of Blocked Drains.
It takes a lot to shock our crew at Flow Sure Drains. We have unclogged almost every
drain clog imaginable in Bristol, UK. And we know what kinds of crazy things can lead to a
backed up drain nightmare. But did you know that not all clogged drains are caused by lumps of
toilet tissue or masses of hair?
Let’s take a look at some of the craziest things that have been known to wreak havoc on
drains all across the United Kingdom.
- Clothing.
Clothing being flushed down the drain is one surefire way to make everything back up in
an instant. You might be thinking, ‘who on earth would ever flush clothing?!’ Well, truthfully, both
children and adults alike have been caught in this act. From socks to swim shirts, clothing
sometimes finds its way being pushed down toilet drains and needing to be removed by
professionals like us.
- Toys.
Children have a way of making happy little messes in the most interesting of ways. One
way that kids can cause damage to your drains is by tossing their favorite toys or game pieces
into the toilet. These toys can easily become lodged in the drain, and lead to rapid buildup of
debris. This leads to a blockage faster than you can even imagine. Not only that, but often the
removal of said toy can be a headache in and of itself!
- Tech Gadgets.
Everyday life is filled with mobile phones, wireless headphones, bluetooth devices, and
smart watches. These items have a tendency to fall off at the worst possible times--and these
times can indeed be while around drainage. Whether it be down the sink or down the toilet,
mobile devices and gadgets can easily find their way down the drains. These bulky objects, just
like toys, can lead to rapid blockages and damages aside from the loss of the gadget itself!
- Animals & Pests.
Whether it be the family goldfish being flushed down the drain, or frogs and even otters
making their way into the sewage system, pests can easily block drains. Not only can they, but
they often do. It may seem sad, but it’s not unheard of for small little critters to work their way
into the sewage system and create blockages with their bodies that are difficult to find and
remove. Pests are one of the leading odd causes of blockages in sewage drainage across the
United Kingdom.
- Final Thoughts.
Our team at Flow Sure Dains has seen it all when it comes to sewage drain blockages.
We know what it takes to remove blockages and get sewage drains running smoothly again in a
flash. If you are dealing with drain blockages, contact our team today. We make sure the drains
of Bristol, UK, are flowing day in and day out at Flow Sure Drains!
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What Are Drain Interceptors — And Why Do They Matter in Bristol? If you own or manage a property in Bristol built before the 1950s, there’s a good chance you’ve got a Victorian drain interceptor buried beneath your feet. And if your toilet’s slow to flush, your kitchen gulley smells, or the manhole’s backing up — that interceptor might be the hidden cause. At Flow Sure Drains , we uncover, inspect, and solve problems caused by these outdated systems every week across Bristol and the South West. 🧱 What is a Drain Interceptor? A drain interceptor (also known as a 'buchan trap' ) is an old-fashioned U-bend-style fitting found in Victorian and early 20th-century drainage systems. It was originally designed to: Stop sewer gases from entering the home Create a water seal between your drains and the public sewer But over time, these traps have become liabilities : They trap debris and grease They’re hard to access and maintain They collapse or become blocked, causing upstream problems in your house 🧰 Signs Your Drain Interceptor is Failing You may not even know you have one until it causes trouble. Watch out for: Persistent foul smells near external drains Toilets gurgling or slow to drain Manhole overflowing, but pipes seem clear Water sitting at the base of manholes Flow Sure Drains uses HD CCTV cameras to locate and inspect old interceptors. In many cases, we find root ingress , blockages , or collapses that have gone undiagnosed for years. ⚙️ Should You Remove or Bypass a Drain Interceptor? In most cases — yes . Interceptors no longer serve a useful purpose in modern drainage networks. Wessex Water and Bristol City Council both permit — and in some cases recommend — their removal or bypass, provided: You use a licensed contractor The replacement connection maintains flow and compliance We can: Excavate and remove the old trap Install a straight-through connection Use no-dig repair (patch lining) where possible Handle Wessex Water permissions where needed "What is a Victorian drain interceptor?" “It’s an old-style U-bend in the main drain system, common in pre-1950s Bristol homes, and often causes blockages today.” "Should I remove my drain interceptor?" “In most cases yes — modern systems don’t need them, and they often cause problems.” "Who removes drain interceptors in Bristol?" “Flow Sure Drains — local drainage experts with no call-out fee, CCTV inspections, and full removal service.” 📍 Why Choose Flow Sure Drains? ✅ Based in Bristol — we know the quirks of local Victorian drainage ✅ No call-out fees ✅ CCTV and no-dig solutions ✅ Emergency response available 24/7 📞 0117 427 4565 🌐 www.drains-bristol.co.uk