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Blockages in pipes can be nasty, stopping waste from leaving your property.

You may have a blockage if:

• You find it hard to flush your toilet.
• Your sink or bath empties very slowly.
• You notice a bad smell coming from your drains.

When wastewater is unable to flow away it can come back up from the toilet or sink, flooding your home. It's easy to avoid blockages, just be sure to bin any item that's not pee, poo, or toilet paper.
What causes blockages?

Sewers are only designed to take water from toilets, sinks, baths and showers along with human waste and toilet tissue. Everything else should be put in the bin
Blockages are often caused by:

• Fat, oil and food scraps that become solid in pipes.
• Wet wipes – even the ones labelled ‘flushable’ block your pipes.
• Sanitary items, including towels and tampons.
• How do I know if the blockage is in my home?

If the blockage is in your home, it’s your responsibility to unblock it. These signs may show it's in your home:

• Your neighbours aren't having problems with their drains
• Your property doesn’t share a drain with any others
• There’s no other flooding in the local area
• Your upstairs facilities are impacted but downstairs is working - this suggests an internal blockage
• If you lift the manhole cover outside your property and the drain is clear, it's likely the blockage is within your home. Bin it – don’t block it

It's easy to avoid blockages in your home. Remember the three Ps: pee, poo and (toilet) paper – nothing else should be flushed!

• Wrap sanitary items, nappies, wipes and condoms in toilet paper and put them in the bin
• Leave leftover cooking oil, fat and food to cool and put it in the bin
• Take chemicals, solvents, engine oil and paint to your local refuse or recycling site
• Take medicines, tablets, syringes and needles to your pharmacist, hospital or health authority for safe disposal

Learn more about what we’re doing to prevent blockages and how you can avoid blockages at home. After all, life flows better when you bin it - don’t block it.