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Blocked Drains Portsmouth: Preventing Fatbergs at Home

CCTV view inside a blocked drain showing thick fat and grease build-up coating the pipe walls in a Portsmouth property

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Cooking at home is part of everyday life in Portsmouth, but one of the most common causes of blocked drains Portsmouth homeowners experience starts in the kitchen. When fats, oils, and grease are poured down sinks, they don’t simply disappear — they build up inside pipework and create serious drainage problems.

Over time, this leads to one of the most disruptive issues in domestic plumbing: fatbergs.

What Are Fatbergs?

Fatbergs are solid masses that form when fats, oils, and grease combine with food waste, soap residue, and other debris inside drainage pipes. As they grow, they restrict water flow and eventually cause a blocked drain Portsmouth properties often struggle with, especially in kitchens.

Older pipework, shared drainage systems, and compact housing layouts across Portsmouth make fatbergs more likely to develop unnoticed.

How Fats and Oils Cause Blocked Drains

Hot cooking oil flows easily at first, but once it cools inside the pipe, it hardens and sticks to the pipe walls. Each time more grease enters the system, another layer forms.

Food particles then cling to this surface, gradually narrowing the pipe until water can no longer pass freely. This process is one of the leading causes of blocked drains Portsmouth engineers are called out to clear.

Early Warning Signs of a Fatberg

Portsmouth homeowners should watch for:

  • Slow-draining kitchen sinks
  • Gurgling sounds from plugholes
  • Persistent unpleasant smells
  • Water backing up when appliances are used
  • Repeat blockages that return after DIY attempts

These signs often indicate a developing blockage deeper in the system.

Why Fatbergs Get Worse During Busy Periods

Large meals, holiday cooking, and increased washing-up dramatically raise the risk of grease entering drains. Cold weather also causes fats to solidify faster, accelerating blockages in underground pipes.

This is why many emergency callouts for blocked drains Portsmouth occur after weekends and festive periods.

Preventing Blocked Drains in Portsmouth Homes

Simple habits can significantly reduce the risk:

  • Never pour fats or oils down the sink
  • Let grease cool and dispose of it in the bin
  • Wipe pans with kitchen paper before washing
  • Use sink strainers to catch food debris
  • Avoid flushing wipes or paper towels

These small changes help prevent fatbergs forming inside your drainage system.

When a Drain Survey Is Needed

If blockages keep returning, the issue may be deeper than surface grease buildup. A drain survey Portsmouth homeowners rely on uses CCTV inspection equipment to identify hardened fat deposits, pipe damage, or restricted sections underground.

A drain survey allows engineers to target the exact problem, preventing unnecessary excavation and repeated blockages.

Professional Help for Blocked Drains in Portsmouth

Once grease has hardened inside pipework, DIY solutions and chemical cleaners are rarely effective. Professional drainage engineers use high-pressure jetting and CCTV inspections to safely remove fat buildup and restore full flow.

Early intervention avoids complete pipe failure and costly repairs.

FAQs

Why do fats and oils cause blocked drains?

They cool and harden inside pipes, sticking to pipe walls and trapping debris until a blockage forms.

Are fatbergs only a problem in public sewers?

No. Fatbergs often form inside household drains before reaching shared or public sewer systems.

Can boiling water clear grease from drains?

Boiling water may temporarily move grease but does not remove hardened buildup lining the pipes.

When should I book a drain survey in Portsmouth?

If a blocked drain Portsmouth homeowners experience keeps returning, a CCTV drain survey is recommended to identify the root cause.

What’s the safest way to dispose of cooking oil?

Allow it to cool, pour it into a sealed container, and place it in household waste.

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