Top Causes of Blocked Drains and How to Prevent Them
Blocked drains can become a nightmare. They cause issues such as water backups, foul odours, and can potentially lead to damage to your property.
But with an understanding of the common causes of blocked drains, you can take action to fight back against this. Spotting signs of issues and taking preventative measures will help you avoid major issues to keep your drainage system running smoothly.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the top causes of blocked drains and offer practical tips on how to prevent them…
A Buildup of Hair and Soap Scum
One of the most common causes of blocked drains in your bathtub or shower is the buildup of hair and soap scum.
Over time, hair and soap residue can accumulate in your drains, forming stubborn blockages. In extreme cases of blockages, you may notice that your shower doesn’t drain properly or drains slowly, and you’re left standing in the shower with basically a foot bath of water pooling around your feet.
To fix this issue, pour drain cleaner down the plughole. Either using a specified plughole safe cleaner, or a home remedy mixture of baking soda and vinegar to dissolve the buildup. Do this regularly.
To prevent the issue in future, consider installing drain guards that will catch hair before it can enter and stick in the pipes.
When to Call A Professional
If you run into a blockage with any sort of drain, you’ve tried a few of the remedies suggested above and below, and nothing seems to be working, you may need to get onto a search engine and type professional drain unblocker near me.
Expert plumbers and drain specialists carry equipment to identify and unblock problems fast, leaving your drains squeaky clean. They can even use camera equipment to get an in depth look at your drainage system.
Dispose of Food Waste and Grease Properly
Be careful how much you use your kitchen sink to dispose of food waste, oil, and grease. These are frequent causes of blocked drains in your kitchen.
Oil and grease are never a good idea to pour down the sink. And food scraps should also be poured into a food waste bin instead.
These things can solidify and stick to pipe walls, they will then proceed to rot and start to smell. This is especially likely to happen in summer when pipes heat up and the environment becomes more humid.
Use a sink strainer to catch food particles from accidentally going down the drain.
Don’t Flush Foreign Objects
You should only ever flush toilet paper and items marked flushable down a toilet. The last thing you want is a toilet becoming blocked or backing up, as this is a serious health hazard.
Do not flush sanitary products, baby wipes, cotton swabs or even something small such as contact lenses down your toilet, as it can all build up. Dispose of it in the bin instead.
Also, for those who have small children, try not to accidentally let small toys or anything get flushed down the toilet either.
Tree Roots
The problem with your drains could also be coming from outside, or underground. Tree roots will seek moisture and nutrients, and this could lead them to growing into underground drainage pipes.
Avoid planting any trees or shrubs close to where your drainage lines are. You may need to install root barriers to block any invading growth. If in doubt, ask a professional.
Accumulation of Mineral Deposits
In areas that have hard water, mineral deposits such as calcium and magnesium can accumulate in your drains and pipes, which can lead to a blockage. These deposits can restrict water flow, slowing or clogging drains.
Consider installing a water softener to treat the hard water and prevent the formation of mineral deposits.
Regular drain cleaning with a descaling solution can also help remove deposits and prevent blockages in future.
You May Need A Repair or Upgrade
If you regularly clean and put in prevention measures and are still getting frequent problems, it could be that you have a poorly designed or out of date drainage system. In this case, it’s best to consult a professional to assess your drainage system and give recommendations on any necessary repairs or upgrades.
Final Thoughts
By learning about the signs and causes of blocked drains, you can be prepared in preventing and fighting against blockages. So remember to be proactive, clean regularly, dispose of waste properly and install preventive solutions.
And, remember to speak to a professional if you’re really up to your neck in it!
