5 Common Causes of Blocked Drains and How to Prevent Them

Blocked drains are a source of frustration which can cause a disruption in your daily life. They can lead to smelly water damage, bad smells, and even health risks. If they’re not treated promptly blocked drains may cause serious problems in the plumbing system, leading to costly repairs or replacements.

Key Takeaways

• Blocked drains can disrupt your day-to-day routine and lead to flooding, unpleasant odours and even health hazards.
• Oil, grease and fat accumulation can build up on the pipes’ walls causing blockages. Do not pour grease down the drain or use hot water and soap to wash dishes.
• Tree roots naturally extend into the earth to seek nutrients. This can cause massive damage, and also block the pipes completely that can lead to flooding. Regularly maintain nearby trees around drainage systems by trimming them.
• Flushing non-biodegradable items like wet wipes, sanitary towels etc. can result in nasty smells emanating around toilets/bin areas; make sure to flush toilet paper down the drain.
• Hair

In this post, we’ll review five common causes of blocked drains and ways to stop them from happening.

Cause 1: Grease, Oil and Fat buildup

Grease, oil and fat may appear like harmless materials to pour down the drain however, over time, they begin to accumulate within the wall of pipes, which causes a blockage. As a result then water cannot flow freely through drainpipes. It is best to avoid throwing grease down the drain. Or make use of hot water and soap while cleaning dishes because it assists to dissolve greasy substances.

Cause 2. Tree Roots

Over time tree roots naturally expand into the soil searching for nutrients which implies that they expand towards underground pipes. Once inside these pipes trees roots can cause a lot of damage and could completely stop them from flowing, causing flooding. Therefore, it is essential that if are near trees that you regularly maintain their growth around drainage systems by trimming them regularly.

Cause 3: Item that has been thrown away

It’s easy enough to believe that flushing items that aren’t biodegradable like the wet wipes, sanitary towel etc. will not cause any major problems in the long run However, when a lot of these items are flushed into toilets, they can accumulate pushing others aside that block pipes. This can result in nasty smells emanating around the toilets and bins too! Always be aware of what should be flushed and which shouldn’t (i. the only toilet paper should have to be flushed).

Cause 4 Hair

Additional Information

• Blocked Drain Emergency? Here’s What You Need to Know About DIY vs. Professionals
• Blockage of Drains: Plumbing Tips and Solutions
• What You Need to Know About Blocked Drains and How to Resolve Them
• The Most Comprehensive Handbook to Drain Clogs: Which Plumbers Use
• Why You Need CCTV Drain Inspection Services
• How to Choose between Different Types of Pipe Relining Materials (And Which One Is Right for You)
• CCTV Drain Inspection: An Effective Way to Prevent Future Plumbing Issues
• Save Money and Time with Preventative Drain Care Practices
• The Importance of CCTV Drain Inspections in Preventing Expensive Property Damage
• The Benefits of CCTV Drain Inspection: Beyond Unclogging Pipes