The South Oxfordshire area is known for hard water, which can lead to mineral buildup in pipes.

As Dave puts it, packing his camera gear after a successful unblocking near the Market Place: “People don’t remember you for the drains you clean. They remember you for the ones you unclog at 10pm on a bank holiday Monday. In this town, that’s called community service.”

Local Wallingford drainage specialists recommend keeping a toilet auger in the airing cupboard and the number of a reputable, local drainage firm saved in your phone—preferably before you need it.

Using too much quilted toilet tissue can easily overwhelm a standard U-bend. Emergency DIY Fixes

Local drainage firms now offer a simple checklist to every homeowner they rescue: