What Is Unblocktober?
Unblocktober is an annual October awareness campaign focused on protecting drains, sewer systems and waterways. It encourages families and businesses to reconsider what they flush down toilets or pour into sinks.
The campaign began in the United Kingdom in 2019, but its message applies just as well to homeowners here in the Denver area. Small changes inside your home can reduce the risk of clogged drains, sewer backups and unnecessary plastic pollution.
For 31 days, participants pay closer attention to their kitchen and bathroom habits. The goal is not complicated: keep grease, wipes and other harmful materials out of the plumbing system.
Why Unblocktober Matters to Denver Homeowners
Your plumbing system is designed to carry water, human waste and toilet paper. When other materials enter the system, they may collect inside drainpipes or travel farther into the sewer line.
Denver-area homes can already face sewer challenges caused by aging pipes, shifting soil and tree roots. Grease, wipes and household waste can make an existing problem worse or create a new blockage.
Common consequences include:
- Slow-moving sinks, tubs and showers
- Recurring toilet or drain clogs
- Unpleasant odors coming from drains
- Wastewater backing up into the home
- Damage to sewer pipes or plumbing fixtures
- Unexpected cleanup and repair expenses
Good disposal habits cannot prevent every plumbing problem, but they can help reduce avoidable blockages. If drains are already slow or backing up, a professional evaluation may be needed.
What Should Never Go Down a Kitchen Sink?
Kitchen drains handle soap and wastewater, but they are not garbage disposals for every type of food waste. Even when a material starts as a liquid, it can cool, harden or stick to the inside of a pipe.
Keep these materials out of your kitchen sink:
- Cooking oil, shortening and melted fat
- Meat grease, gravy and oily sauces
- Coffee grounds and loose tea leaves
- Eggshells, rice and pasta
- Flour, dough and thick batters
- Paint, chemicals and household cleaners not intended for drains
Running hot water does not make grease safe for your drain. Hot water may move it farther through the pipe, but the grease can cool and solidify later.
How Should Cooking Grease Be Disposed Of?
Allow grease and cooking oil to cool before placing them in a sealed, disposable container. Small amounts left in a pan can be wiped up with a paper towel and placed in the trash.
A sink strainer can also catch scraps before they enter the drain. Empty the strainer into the trash or compost appropriate food waste according to your local collection guidelines.
What Should You Avoid Flushing?
The toilet is not a household trash can. In most cases, only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed.
Avoid flushing the following items:
- Baby wipes and personal cleansing wipes
- Paper towels and facial tissues
- Feminine hygiene products and applicators
- Cotton swabs, cotton balls and dental floss
- Diapers and disposable cleaning pads
- Hair, bandages and personal care packaging
Many wipes are strong enough to remain intact after flushing. They can catch on rough pipe surfaces, roots or existing buildup, creating a larger obstruction over time.
Labels such as “flushable” do not guarantee that a product will break apart as quickly as toilet paper. When in doubt, place it in the trash.
Warning Signs of a Drain or Sewer Problem
A single slow drain may point to a nearby clog. When several fixtures have problems at the same time, the trouble may be deeper in the home’s main sewer line.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Water draining more slowly than usual
- Gurgling sounds from toilets or drains
- Water appearing in a tub when a toilet is flushed
- Repeated clogs that return after plunging
- Sewage odors indoors or around the yard
- Wet, sunken or unusually green areas outside
Do not ignore sewage coming through a floor drain, bathtub or toilet. Avoid contact with the wastewater and call a professional plumber as soon as possible.
How Brothers Can Identify the Problem
Not every blockage requires the same solution. An experienced plumbing professional can evaluate the symptoms, locate the obstruction and explain what needs to happen next.
The right approach depends on the location of the blockage and the condition of the pipe. A professional assessment can help distinguish between ordinary buildup, a damaged sewer line, invading roots or a problem with another part of the plumbing system.
If a line is cracked, collapsed or repeatedly backing up, professional sewer repair may be necessary. Brothers will explain the available options so you can make an informed decision about your home.
When Trenchless Sewer Repair May Be an Option
Traditional sewer replacement may require excavation to access a damaged pipe. Depending on the line’s condition and location, trenchless sewer repair in Denver may provide another option.
Trenchless methods are designed to repair or replace qualifying sewer lines with less surface disruption than conventional excavation. Not every pipe is a candidate, so the sewer line must be inspected before a recommendation can be made.
Brothers takes an honest and transparent approach. The goal is to identify the actual problem and discuss an appropriate solution, not to recommend work your home does not need.
What Does a Sewage Ejector Pump Do?
Some homes have plumbing fixtures below the level of the main sewer line, often in a basement bathroom or laundry area. Wastewater from these fixtures cannot always flow out through gravity alone.
A sewage ejector pump collects that wastewater and pumps it upward into the home’s main drain system. Problems with the pump, float, basin or discharge piping can cause odors, alarms or backups.
A sewage ejector pump should be inspected when it runs constantly, makes unusual sounds or fails to move wastewater. Prompt attention can help limit damage to finished basement spaces.
Make Unblocktober a Family Habit
Unblocktober is a useful opportunity to teach everyone in the home how plumbing systems work. Clear, simple rules are often easier for children and guests to remember.
Try these family-friendly steps:
- Place a small trash can beside each toilet
- Keep a grease container near the cooking area
- Use drain strainers in kitchen and bathroom sinks
- Remind children what belongs in the toilet
- Check product labels before using sinks for disposal
- Call a plumber when clogs repeatedly return
These habits should continue after October ends. A cleaner sewer system starts with everyday decisions made in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Ongoing Care Through the Home Care Club
Preventive home maintenance can make it easier to identify small concerns before they interrupt your routine. The Brothers Home Care Club offers homeowners a convenient way to stay ahead of important home service needs.
Membership is designed around dependable service and ongoing care from a team that knows your home. You can review the available benefits and find answers to common membership questions in the Home Care Club FAQs.
It is one more way Brothers puts Family, Care, Excellence into practice. As a family operated and centrally dispatched company, the team is prepared to provide coordinated service throughout the Denver metro area.
Call Brothers for Drain and Sewer Help
Healthy plumbing habits are a good first step, but some clogs and sewer problems need professional attention. Brothers provides Prompt, Professional, Reliable service backed by a team that believes WE CARE.
If your drains are slow, your sewer line keeps backing up or you have questions about your home’s plumbing, Call Now at (303) 468-2294. You can also learn more about the local team by visiting Brothers Plumbing, Heating & Electric on Google Maps.
Call, Text or Online. Book Today, Your Way!
What month is Unblocktober?
Unblocktober takes place throughout October. The campaign asks households and businesses to improve their drain and sewer habits for 31 days, with the hope that those better habits will continue all year.
What is the main purpose of Unblocktober?
Its purpose is to improve the health of drains, sewer systems and waterways by reducing the amount of grease, wipes, plastic and other harmful waste entering them. It also helps people understand how everyday disposal choices affect their own plumbing.
Can I pour cooking oil down the sink with hot water?
No. Hot water may temporarily carry the oil through part of the drain, but the oil can cool and collect farther along the pipe. Let it cool and place it in a sealed container for proper disposal instead.
Are flushable wipes safe for my plumbing?
Wipes generally do not break apart as readily as toilet paper. They can catch inside pipes and combine with grease or other debris, so placing them in the trash is the safer choice.
What are the first signs of a sewer line clog?
Early signs may include slow drains, gurgling toilets, unpleasant odors and recurring clogs. Trouble affecting several fixtures at once may indicate a blockage in the main sewer line.
When should I call a plumber for a clogged drain?
Call a plumber when a clog keeps returning, affects multiple fixtures or causes wastewater to back up. Professional help is also appropriate when you notice sewer odors, unusual outdoor wet spots or gurgling throughout the home.
Does every damaged sewer line require excavation?
No. Some damaged pipes may qualify for trenchless repair or replacement, which can reduce digging. A professional inspection is needed to determine the pipe’s condition and whether a trenchless method is appropriate.
Can better disposal habits prevent every sewer problem?
No. Better habits can reduce preventable clogs, but sewer lines can still develop problems from age, corrosion, shifting soil, poor connections or tree roots. Routine attention and prompt professional service can help keep those issues from becoming more disruptive.
