Blocked drains are every homeowner’s bad dream. They can cause incredible inconvenience, damage to your property, and pose a health risk to you and your family. Unfortunately, drain blockages are inevitable, and no matter how clean you keep your drainage system, you’ll experience blocked drains from time to time. Drain blockages occur when solid particles or materials accumulate in the pipes causing the water to obstruct flow. Here are the main causes of drain blockages and how to avoid them.

  • Hair: One of the biggest causes of blocked drains in bathrooms is hair. Human hair is lightweight, so it quickly accumulates on the sides of the drain pipes, especially in bathtub and shower drains. To avoid this, use a hair strainer in your bathtub and shower to catch hair or also, use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar and boiling water to clear your drains effectively without causing damage.

  • Food Waste: Kitchen drain blockages are typically caused by food debris. It is a common mistake to allow left-over food particles go down the kitchen sink. Immediately after washing your dishes, scrape off food particles from plates and utensils into the trash to avoid damaging your pipes.

  • Oil and Grease: Pouring hot cooking oil and grease down the kitchen sink is not only detrimental to your drain pipes, but it also contributes to clogging sewers. Instead, wait until the oil has cooled down completely before emptying it into a container and disposing of it in the trash.

  • Toiletries: We often regard our toilets as a trash can and dispose of all kinds of toilet paper, cotton buds, sanitary items and wipes down the drain. This is a significant cause of drain blockages that can cause severe damage to the plumbing system. The best way to avoid this is to stick to the “Three Ps” and flush only pee, poop, and paper.

  • Tree Roots: Tree roots that grow around or even into your drain pipes are another common cause of blockages. The roots can crack and break the pipes, causing water to leak into the ground, and become clogged with debris. To avoid this, plant trees and shrubs away from sewer lines and have your regular sewer line check-up by a plumber.

clogged kitchen sink

Drain blockages are a headache that every homeowner should strive to avoid. By taking simple steps such as using a hair strainer, not pouring oil and grease down the kitchen sink, sticking to the “Three Ps” with regards to toilets, and having your pipelines checked regularly, you can significantly reduce the risk of getting a blocked drain. If you experience a blocked drain, don’t hesitate to contact us. We have the tools and expertise to unclog your drains without causing further damage to your plumbing system.

Thanks to Wikipedia for this photo

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