How to stop those annoying blockages taking place!

Don't let blocked sinks and drains disrupt your flow. Follow these simple steps to keep everything running smoothly!

The Sink/Wash Hand Basin 🚰

The easiest way to keep your bathroom wash basin clear is to be very careful about what goes down the plughole! In the bathroom, substances that can lead to blockages include soap residue, hair, toothpaste, waxes and oils.

Regular cleaning and rinsing can help avoid anything untoward occurring.

The Shower Drain 🚿

By far, the most common cause of blocked shower drains is hair so, if you're particularly hirsute, be sure to remove any excess hair from the plughole after you've finished showering.  

It's also important to avoid dropping any foreign objects, such as hair grips, down drain as these will quickly collect  and cause a block.

The Toilet 🚽

When it comes to toilets, the only items that should be going into the pan are the 3 p's. The last P stands for toilet paper so we can leave you to guess the first two! Anything else should be disposed of in the bin. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Wet Wipes
• Sanitary Items (tampons, towels etc)
• Cotton Wool
• Cotton Buds
• Nappies
• Condoms
• Bandages
• Contact Lenses

It is also the case that using excessive amounts of toilet paper can also be a common factor in drains becoming blocked so ensure you are using just enough each time.

Reporting a blockage ‼️

If you do happen to notice that the water is slow to clear in your sink or your ensuite, please report it to your site team as quickly as possible. This will allow them to clear the drain properly before it becomes a major problem.

Please also be aware that you may occasionally experience cloudy water coming out of the tap. This is not due to a blockage but is down to the water being under pressure and it will clear when put in a container.

Looking for more information?

To find out more about cleaning your bathroom or ensuite check out our UofGLiving Cleaning Guide.

For more information on water, check out our UofGLiving Guide or see Scottish Water's Keep the water cycle running smoothly campaign booklet.