Myth 1: “Bleach unblocks drains”
Bleach can clean a surface, but it rarely clears a blockage, because grease and hair stay put. Grease, hair and wipes stay put. Strong chemicals can also harm skin and some pipes.
Never mix bleach with other cleaners, because the fumes can be dangerous. A plunger or a drain tool works better for most blockages.
Myth 2: “Flushable wipes are safe to flush”
Many wipes are sold as flushable, yet they do not break down like toilet paper. They catch in pipes and bind with grease. As a result, they are a common cause of blockages.
Put wipes in the bin, since they never break down. Only flush toilet paper and human waste.
Myth 3: “Running hot water while pouring fat down the drain prevents blockages”
Hot water may move fat for a short way, but it cools further down the pipe. The fat then sets and sticks to the walls. Over time it builds up.
Pour fat into a container and bin it instead, because the pipe is no place for it. Wipe greasy pans with kitchen paper before you wash them.
Myth 4: “You don’t need to bleed radiators if the heating works”
A heating system can work while still holding air. Trapped air makes radiators heat unevenly and can add to rust. Bleeding is quick and cheap.
Check for cold spots at the top of radiators each autumn, because early checks help. Our guide to how to bleed a radiator shows how.
Myth 5: “More water pressure is always better”
High pressure can strain pipes, taps and appliances, so more is not better. It can also cause noise and leaks. A steady, suitable pressure is better than a high one.
If pressure feels very high, ask a plumber to check it. A pressure-reducing valve may help.
Myth 6: “You don’t need a CCTV survey if the drain isn’t blocked”
A drain can be damaged without blocking. Cracks and roots may sit unseen for years. A survey shows faults early, before they cause a mess.
Our page on CCTV drain survey explains how it works. It is useful before you buy a home too.
Myth 7: “All boiler pressure drops mean a leak”
Pressure can drop after you bleed a radiator, since air leaves the system. A small drop after that is normal. Topping it up once is fine.
If the pressure keeps falling, there may be a leak or a fault. In that case, call a heating engineer.
Myth 8: “Chemical descalers can fix a kettling boiler”
Kettling often comes from scale or sludge inside the boiler or pipes, so home chemicals rarely help. Home chemicals rarely reach the heat exchanger. They may also harm parts if used wrongly.
Ask a heating engineer to look at the boiler. A proper clean or a flush may be the right fix.
Myth 9: “You can’t reline a drain under a building”
Relining works from inside the pipe, so it needs little digging. That makes it a good option under buildings, if the pipe is suitable. A camera survey shows whether it will work. Our guide to drain relining explains the process.
Myth 10: “Old clay drains always need replacing”
Clay pipes can last a long time if they stay sound, so check before you replace. Many only need cleaning or a local repair. Some can be relined.
A survey tells you the true condition. Therefore, do not agree to a full replacement without seeing the footage.
Related guides and local help
If you want to know more, read Sewer Smell in the House: Causes and How to Fix Each One. You can also read Outside Drain Blocked: What to Do and Who Is Responsible and Shower Not Draining: What You Need to Know to Fix It, because they cover closely related problems.
These guides help too: Kitchen Drain Problems: Causes, Fixes and Easy Prevention, 10 Signs Your Drain Needs a Professional, Not Just a Plunger, How to Unblock a Toilet: Safe Methods and When to Stop, 7 Things You Should Never Flush Down a Toilet in the UK and How to Unblock a Drain: A Simple Step-by-Step UK Guide. Each one explains a related topic in plain English.
Need help near you? Read our blocked drain guide first, or see Blocked Drains in Swansea and Blocked Drains in Portsmouth. You can also see Blocked Toilets in Blyth, since every service page has a free quote form. We pass each request to a local drainage engineer.
