The importance of calling out a professional with plumbing course qualifications for remedying persistent pipe blockages has been lauded by an insurance firm.

HomeServe Membership explained in an article for the Manchester Evening News that it is usually worth trying to fix the problem oneself initially - perhaps by crumbling Alka Seltzer then vinegar down the plug.

But the firm pointed out that it can be worth calling in a plumber sooner rather than later, otherwise the blockage could get worse.

The company stressed that the best way to avoid the issue is to prevent it from occurring, ensuring that grease and fat is not poured down the sink.

"Quite simply, the best way to avoid a blockage in the first place is to avoid putting anything down that could obstruct the flow of water," explained HomeServe.

This week, the Yorkshire Post reported that gallons of concrete was illegally poured into a sewer and caused flooding in many homes around Pudsey, near Leeds.

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