Common Causes of Blocked Drains
Repeat blocked drains are a real headache, especially when the blockage keeps returning, just when you think you’ve solved the problem. For busy families blockages can mean disruptions to getting the children off to school, or nasty smells that recur frequently. While for businesses there’s always the risk of hygiene issues, as well as an increased potential for business disruption. What is your drain trying to tell you?
10 things your drain wishes you’d stop doing is a guide to the ways drains get roundly abused, from Drainflow, a long-established drain clearance company serving Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire. We all throw stuff down our drains that we shouldn’t, so this is a reminder of all the things you can stop doing, that your drain will thank you for.
Stop! Don’t Put These 5 Things Down Your Drain
Preventing drain blockages is a lot easier (and more cost-effective) than fixing them. By being careful about what gets poured or dropped down your drains, you can save yourself time, money, and hassle in the long run. Here are 5 things to avoid:
- Cooking Oil and Grease – This is the big one. Liquified grease solidifies in drains and clogs them up. Instead of pouring them away, put oil or grease from cooking in a sealed container and dispose of it in your rubbish bin.
- Food Waste – The odd bit of food or sweetcorn kernel isn’t a problem, but if you regularly dispose of coffee grounds, or scraps of vegetables down the plughole, your drain will eventually get completely blocked. Use a food strainer over the plughole to catch food waste before it starts doing harm down below.
- Wipes and Sanitary Products – The only things that should be flushed down the toilet are natural waste and toilet paper. Anything else risks a blockage and should be avoided.
- Hair and Soap – Hair is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to shower and bathroom sink blockages, closely followed by soap residue that sticks to the pipes and reduces the area for water to pass through. Use a hair guard to stop the first, and make sure to run soap-free hot water through your drains regularly to stop a buildup of soap.
- Other Stuff – Cat litter, cement and kids’ toys are some of the odder things we’ve cleared from drains in our time. You can’t legislate for all the stuff that turns up in drains but think twice before flushing or pouring items that are likely to create a blockage.
Beyond the Obvious – Hidden Causes of Drain Blockages
It’s only natural to focus on what we put down our drains, but sometimes the cause of blockages is less obvious. One of the most frustrating things about drainage systems is that, in large part, they’re invisible to us, so the cause is hidden.
Here are some less obvious reasons for blockages:
1. Tree Roots – Tree roots love the damp innards of drainage pipes. These roots will seek out tiny cracks or joints and grow into the pipe. Eventually this will cause a blockage or pipe damage.
- Prevention – Plant garden trees at a safe distance from your drains, and if you do have trees growing nearby, consider a CCTV drain survey to catch root intrusion early.
2. Lack of Maintenance – Like any system, your drains need regular preventive maintenance to stay healthy and fully functioning. Neglecting your drains can lead to buildups that increase the risk of blockages.
- Prevention – Schedule professional drain jetting at least once a year to remove buildup and keep your drains flowing smoothly.
3. Limescale Buildup – If you live in a hard water areas, you’re likely to limescale buildup in pipes. This deposit restricts the water flow and eventually leads to blockages.
- Prevention – Think about installing a water softener to reduce limescale buildup.
4. Old or Damaged Pipes – Over time, pipes will corrode, crack, or collapse, making blockages more likely.
- Prevention – Check when your plumbing was installed and consider whether it’s time to replace an old or outdated plumbing system.
5. Rats in Pipes – It’s rare, but rats can set up home in drainpipes and this will inevitably cause a blockage.
- Prevention – There are barriers that can be installed in pipes waste can pass through, but rats can’t.
Drainflow – Your Local Drain Experts
We hope these tips will go some way to stopping blockages and keeping your drains healthy. Remember, Drainflow is always here to help with drain clearance, or CCTV surveys which will diagnose the cause of a recurrent blockage.
From routine maintenance to emergency drain clearance, Drainflow is your trusted local partner. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services – 01525 718500