With a 5,000%+ increase in UK Google searches over the past month for “ways to unblock a toilet” and “24 hour plumber near me” it is clear that UK residents are struggling with toilet issues, but which cities are experiencing the most clogged toilets?
The experts at London rubbish removal company Clear it Waste analysed search volumes to identify the UK cities most frequently searching for toilet blockage-related terms—revealing which areas are experiencing the most clogged toilets. In addition, the experts share commentary on the factors most contributing to the problem and how to fix it.
Key findings:
- Norwich is the city experiencing the most clogged toilets, with an average of 5,742 yearly searches per 100,000 residents.
- Despite having the largest population, England’s capital London ranks fourth with an average of 3,686 yearly searches per 100,000 residents.
- Peterborough rounds off the top 10, with an average of 2,865 searches annually.
- Spring cleaning season and dietary changes among common factors contributing to clogged toilets.
- Josh Clark, spokesperson from London rubbish removal company reveals that cooking oils, grease and food leftovers are some of the worst substances to flush.
The UK Cities most searching for toilet blockage-related terms online
| Rank | City | 2024 Population* | Total Average monthly searches | Total yearly searches | Total yearly searches per 100,000 people |
| 1 | Norwich | 213,166 | 1,020 | 12,240 | 5,742 |
| 2 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 192,382 | 870 | 10,440 | 5,426 |
| 3 | Manchester | 395,515 | 1,450 | 17,400 | 4,399 |
| 4 | London | 7,556,900 | 23,210 | 278,520 | 3,686 |
| 5 | Birmingham | 984,333 | 2,930 | 35,160 | 3,572 |
| 6 | Bournemouth | 163,600 | 480 | 57,60 | 3,521 |
| 7 | Glasgow | 591,620 | 1,570 | 18,840 | 3,185 |
| 8 | Edinburgh | 464,990 | 1,170 | 14,040 | 3,019 |
| 9 | Leeds | 455,123 | 1,130 | 13,560 | 2,979 |
| 10 | Peterborough | 163,379 | 390 | 46,80 | 2,865 |
Instead of ranking by the total yearly searches, the experts have adjusted the number based on population size per 100,000 residents to make fair comparisons between cities of different sizes.
Norwich is the UK city experiencing the most blocked toilets
London rubbish removal company Clear it Waste can reveal that Norwich is the UK city searching for the most toilet-blockage related terms, with an average of 5,742 annual searches per 100,000 residents. The most commonly searched toilet blocking term in Norwich over the past 12 months was “plumber near me” amassing 8,640 searches.
Newcastle Upon Tyne comes in second with an average of 5,426 yearly searches per 100,000 residents. Newcastle’s most commonly searched term was also “plumber near me” totalling 7,080 searches annually. Despite Newcastle having a far lower population than England’s capital London, (192,382) it still managed to rank highly for toilet blocking online searches.
Manchester ranks third with an average of 4,399 yearly searches per 100,000 residents. Manchester residents search for “Toilet unblockers” on average 3,120 times a year, indicating their initiative to unblock toilets themselves without a plumber.
London comes in fourth place with an average of 3,686 annual searches per 100,000 residents. London has the highest total yearly searches due to being the most populated city in the UK – a total of 278,520 for toilet blockage related terms. An average of 145,200 yearly searches came from searches for “plumber near me” followed by “toilet unblockers” with 28,800 searches annually.
The most common factors that contribute to increased toilet blockages:
Spring cleaning:
As spring approaches, more people will be carrying out their spring cleaning. However, it is important to be wary of the items that are being flushed down the toilet. Toilet paper is the only cleaning item that should be flushed, all other items such as cleaning wipes, sanitary pads or paper towels should be disposed safely in the bin. These items, unlike toilet paper, do not disintegrate in water, leading to clogs that can obstruct pipes and cause significant problems.
Increase of toilet users:
Despite toilet paper typically flushing with ease, increased usage during periods of high household occupancy such as summertime BBQ gatherings can contribute to blockages – overwhelming the robust plumbing systems, particularly in older homes with narrower pipes. In addition to this, the accumulation of limescale from hard water creates mineral deposits that restrict water flow. In older homes, deteriorating pipes present additional challenges as older low flow toilets, while water saving, sometimes lack the power to properly clear necessary waste.
Dietary Changes:
As summer approaches, people tend to increase their fiber intake such as more whole grains, beans and vegetables – which can increase bowel movements and cause blockages in the pipes. In addition, diets that are high in protein can sometimes lead to harder stools, and need for more flushing attempts. Also, those with IBS and constipation can often experience dense stools which are much harder to break down, increasing the risk of blockages.
Josh Clark, spokesperson from London rubbish removal company Clear it Waste comments on one of the worst possible things to flush down the toilet.
“Not many people are aware, but flushing grease, cooking oils or even food leftovers down the toilet can lead to major pipe blockages. Whilst these substances are liquid and may seem easily flushable, they actually cling to pipe walls, trapping other debris and progressively narrowing the pipe’s diameter. This can not only result in toilet clogging, but will contribute to significant sewer line backups, affecting local neighbours.
The best way to dispose of such substances is to let them cool down and transfer them to a sealed container. They can then be securely thrown away in the bin.”
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