Blocked drains are one of those problems you don’t think about until it’s too late. One day everything’s fine, and the next, your sink is taking forever to drain or your toilet’s on the verge of overflowing. Sound familiar? Whether it’s your kitchen, bathroom, or backyard, blocked drains are a common issue, but thankfully, one that can often be avoided with the right care.
So, what’s going on when your drain blocks up, and what can you do to stop it happening in the first place? Here’s a breakdown of the usual culprits and some easy tips to keep your pipes flowing freely.
Common Causes of Blocked Drains
1. Hair Buildup: Hair might seem harmless, but over time it can form thick clumps that cling to soap scum and other debris in your bathroom drains. This is one of the most common reasons for slow or blocked showers and bathroom sinks.
2. Grease and Fat: Pouring cooking oil or fat down the kitchen sink might seem like no big deal, but once it cools, it hardens and sticks to the inside of your pipes. Layer after layer builds up, and before you know it, nothing’s getting through.
3. Food Scraps: Even with a sink strainer, bits of food can still find their way into your pipes. Coffee grounds, rice, pasta and eggshells are especially notorious; they expand with water and don’t break down easily.
4. Tree Roots: Out of sight, out of mind, but not for long. Tree roots are naturally drawn to moisture and can sneak into tiny cracks in underground pipes. Over time, they grow and block the entire line. This is more common in older homes with clay or terracotta pipes.
5. Foreign Objects: Kids’ toys, nappies, sanitary products, cotton buds, you name it, we’ve pulled it out of a drain. Toilets are only meant for the three Ps: pee, poo and (toilet) paper. Anything else can cause a serious blockage.
How to Prevent Blocked Drains
Install Strainers
Simple but effective, sink and shower strainers catch hair and food scraps before they go down the drain. Empty them regularly to keep them working properly.
Dispose of Grease Properly
Instead of pouring grease down the sink, let it cool in a container and toss it in the bin. Wipe pans with a paper towel before washing to remove excess oil.
Be Mindful of What Goes Down the Toilet
Avoid flushing wipes, nappies, or sanitary products—even the ones labelled “flushable.” They don’t break down like toilet paper and can clog the pipes quickly.
Clear Drains Regularly
Pouring boiling water down the kitchen sink once a week can help loosen up fat and soap scum. For bathroom drains, a mix of bicarb soda and vinegar can do wonders. Just don’t overdo it; too much can damage pipes.
Watch for Warning Signs
Slow drainage, bad smells, and gurgling noises are all signs that something’s brewing in your pipes. Don’t ignore them. The earlier you act, the easier (and cheaper) the fix.
When to Call a Professional
Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, blockages still happen, especially if the problem’s deep in the line or caused by tree roots. If you’ve tried the usual DIY tricks and your drain’s still playing up, it’s best to bring in a licensed plumber.
At Plumbers R Us, we’ve seen it all and cleared it all. Whether it’s a minor blockage or a full-blown drain disaster, we’ll get things flowing again quickly and safely. We use advanced equipment like CCTV drain cameras and high-pressure water jets to locate and fix the issue with minimal fuss.
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