Plumbing expert shares household items to ‘never’ put down the drain or risk ‘blockages’

Richard Southern, plumbing expert at HomeHow.co.uk, exclusively told Express.co.uk: "If your drains are clogged, you may notice your toilet takes longer to flush.

"You may also notice bad smells coming from your drain or the water may drain away slowly from the sink, bath, or shower.

"In some cases, you may hear a gurgling sound when running a tap or flushing the toilet."

While there are some ways Britons can unblock sinks, it is best to prevent them from becoming blocked in the first place.

The expert shared a variety of household items which should "never" be flushed down the toilet.

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Richard explained: "Cooking fats, oils and grease can solidify and cause blockages in the pipes, leading to clogs and sewer backups.

"You should always dispose of cooking fats, oils and grease appropriately before washing your dishes."

Britons should "avoid" putting leftover food down the drain as these can accumulate in the drain and obstruct the flow of water.

This includes fruit peels and coffee grounds which can be tempting to push down the sink.

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Richard continued: "Avoid pouring paint, solvents, pesticides and other chemicals down the drain, as they can pollute water sources and harm the environment.

"In some cases, they could also corrode the pipework, leading to leaks or preventing your plumbing from working properly."

Even if wet wipes are marketed as being flushable, they do not disintegrate easily and can clog drains and sewers.

Instead, make sure they are all thrown away in the bin along with nappies, cotton balls and swabs as well as earbuds.

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Hair is often the number one cause of a blockage in the shower drain as it can accumulate and form clumps which can then lead to blockages.

While it is hard to stop hair going down the drain, try using a hair catcher or a drain screen, remembering to empty it regularly.

According to the expert, there are many ways to unblock a sink or bath drain, including using boiling water.

He explained: "Boil a kettle or pot of water, making sure it is enough to pour down the drain in one go. Carefully pour the boiling water directly into the drain.

"Start slowly at first to avoid any splashing or burns and allow the water to work its way through the pipes for a few minutes.

"If the blockage is minor, the hot water can help break it down and clear the drain. Test by running water down the drain to see if it is flowing freely."

If this doesn't work, Britons can use baking soda with white vinegar instead to clear the debris.