Why is my drain blocked? The No-nonsense answer Mudeford homeowners need

Blocked drains are one of the most common household annoyances — from slow sinks to overflowing toilets. Most blockages are caused by everyday materials building up over time: hair and soap scum in bathroom drains, grease and food waste in kitchen drains, and tougher problems like wet wipes or tree roots in the main sewer. Understanding the cause helps you decide whether a quick fix will work or whether you need a professional. magnificentplumbing.com+1

The most common causes (and how to spot them)

• Hair & soap scum (bathroom sinks, showers): slow draining, gurgling and recurring clogs. Hair collects and traps other debris. magnificentplumbing.com

• Grease, fat and food (kitchen sinks): drains that slow after cooking or smell bad. Grease cools and solidifies, trapping food. 128 Plumbing

• Flushable wipes & sanitary items: these don’t break down like toilet paper — they cause stubborn blockages in toilets and main drains. 128 Plumbing

• Tree roots and structural damage: recurring or multiple blocked drains, foul sewage smell outside, or wet patches in the garden may indicate root intrusion or collapsed pipework. Professional CCTV inspection is usually required. oatey.com

Safe DIY steps to try (before calling out a pro)

1. Plunger: first line for sinks and toilets — use a proper cup plunger for sinks and a flange plunger for toilets.

2. Plumbing snake / drain auger: an inexpensive hand auger often reaches and pulls out hair or debris.

3. Hot (not boiling) water flush: pour a kettle of hot water slowly into kitchen sinks to dissolve light grease — avoid constant boiling water as it can damage older joints. The Sun

4. Avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners: they can damage pipes and harm the environment. If a chemical was used and problem persists, stop and call a professional to prevent worsening damage. Express 24 Hr Plumbing & Drain LLC.

If your DIY attempts fail, there’s a risk the blockage is further down the line (or caused by roots, damage, or foreign objects) — that’s when a pro with jetting equipment and CCTV is necessary. oatey.com

When you should call a 24-hour drain unblocking service in Mudeford

Call a professional immediately if you have:

• Sewage backing up into sinks, toilets or out of external gullies.

• Multiple drains blocked at once (often a main line issue).

• Foul sewage smells that persist or wet patches in your garden.

• A blockage you can’t remove with a plunger or hand auger.

Mudeford and nearby Dorset teams offer 24/7 emergency unblocking, high-pressure jetting, and CCTV inspections — useful for diagnosing deep or repeated problems without digging up your garden. Drain Unblocking+1

What a professional will do (so you know what to expect)

• Initial assessment (questions + visual check).

• Plunge/snaking for simple blockages.

• High-pressure jetting to remove grease, roots and hardened deposits.

• CCTV drain survey to locate root ingress, collapsed pipework or foreign objects.

• Report & quote for repairs if pipework needs replacement.

Most reputable companies will explain what they found and give a clear cost estimate before any major work starts. Drainboss

Prevention: small habits that avoid big bills

• Fit hair traps / strainers in showers and sink plugs.

• Dispose of grease and fat in a bin (never the sink).

• Don’t flush wipes, dental floss, cotton pads or sanitary items down the toilet.

• Annual or biannual CCTV checks for older properties or if you live near trees.

• Schedule routine drain jetting if you run a busy household or blockages recur.

Local note for Mudeford residents (SEO-friendly local information)

If you’re in Mudeford and need emergency help, local 24-hour services operate across Christchurch, Bournemouth and the surrounding Dorset area with emergency call-outs and specialist jetting/CCTV equipment. Keep your business phone number, address and opening hours visible on your site and in your Google Business Profile — this makes it easier for locals to find you fast when they search “24 hour drain unblocking Mudeford.” Drain Unblocking+1

Quick FAQ (for site readers and FAQ schema)

Q: Can I use store-bought chemical drain cleaners?A: They can sometimes clear small organic clogs, but they’re corrosive, can damage older pipes/seals, and harm the environment; use sparingly and call a pro for persistent problems. Express 24 Hr Plumbing & Drain LLC.

Q: How long does a professional unblock take?A: Simple snaking may be 30–60 minutes. Jetting and CCTV diagnosis can take longer depending on access and the cause. Drainboss

Q: How much does emergency drain unblocking cost in Mudeford?A: Prices vary by job complexity and time (emergencies at night/weekends are often higher). Ask for a clear estimate before work begins.