Blocked drains are one of the most common household drainage problems. If they are not dealt with quickly and correctly, they can often lead to serious problems with significant costs. But why do they happen?
We’re here to explain the five most common causes of a blocked drain and what you can do to prevent them.
Hair
Hair is one of the most common culprits of blocked drains. They cause the majority of bathroom drainage problems. Washing your hair in the bath or shower causes a build-up of loose hair in your pipes. This causes slow drainage and eventually blocks your drains.
The best way to prevent this common problem is by using drain covers to prevent hair from getting tangled in your drainpipes. This should prevent blockages and keep your drains running smoothly.
Cooking Fat & Grease
The build-up of fat and grease within drainage and sewer systems is a major issue, causing millions of pounds worth of damage. People tend to pour leftover grease and oil used for cooking down their drains where it begins to cool and solidify. This solidified fat then coats your pipes’ internal walls, eventually causing a blockage.
To avoid these blockages, be sure to pour any excess fat or grease into a pot and throw it away, as opposed to washing it down the sink. This will help to protect your pipes and prevent any unnecessary damage.
Foreign Objects
The most common place for foreign items to be flushed down the drains is the bathroom. This is where most people will discard of cotton pads, sanitary items or baby wipes down the toilet. Unfortunately, drains are not equipped to handle these objects, inevitably leading to blockages down the line.
To avoid having to flush foreign objects down the toilet, we recommend keeping a small waste basket in the bathroom to ensure that you have somewhere to dispose of these items.
Tree Roots
Although tree roots intruding on your drains can happen outside your property, they can cause big problems with your home drainage. Tree roots can gain access to your drains through pipe joints, fractures and cracks. The water from the drains will attract tree roots to your pipes, blocking the pipes as they grow.
The best way to avoid this happening is by making sure that there is no damage to your pipes. The easiest way to do this is by carrying out a CCTV Drain Survey to analyse the health of your drainage system.
Food Waste
Leftover food is a common cause of blocked drains. Avoid the temptation to dispose of food leftovers down the sink and instead scrape them into the bin. This small change can have a significant impact on the health of your drains!
Are you having problems with blocked drains? Our friendly team know how to solve the problem fast, with minimal disruption and zero mess left behind. Get in touch today!
