5 Common Causes of Blocked Drains and How to Prevent Them

Blocked drains are a hassle that could disrupt your everyday life. They could cause the destruction of your home’s plumbing, unpleasant smells, and even health hazards. If they are not addressed promptly blocked drains could cause serious issues in your plumbing system, which can lead to expensive repair or even replacement.

Key Takeaways

• The blockage of drains can affect your daily life and cause water damage, bad smells, and even health risks.
• Fat, oil and grease buildup can accumulate on the pipes’ walls, causing blockages. Do not pour grease down drains or use soap and hot water when washing dishes.
• Tree roots naturally grow into the soil to search for nutrients. This can cause massive damage, and also block the pipes completely that can lead to flooding. Regularly maintain the trees surrounding drainage systems by trimming them.
• Wet towels, wipes and sanitary pads etc. could cause unpleasant odors emanating from bins and toilets. make sure to flush toilet paper down the drain.
• Hair

In this article, we will review five common causes of blocked drains and ways to avoid them.

Cause 1: Grease, Oil and Fat Buildup

Grease, oil and fat might appear to be harmless substances to dump down the drain however, over time, they begin to accumulate over the insides of pipes, which causes obstruction. As a result it is impossible for water to flow freely through the drainpipes. The best solution is to refrain from spilling grease in the drain, or make use of hot water and soap while cleaning dishes because it assists to dissolve greasy substances.

Cause 2: Tree Roots

The tree’s roots gradually extend their roots into the earth seeking nutrients. This means that they grow towards underground pipes. Once inside these pipes tree roots could cause significant damage and may completely block them, leading to flooding. It’s important therefore if you are near trees to regularly monitor their growth in the drainage system by trimming them on a regular basis.

Cause 3: Items that are soiled

It’s easy enough to believe that flushing non-biodegradable items like the wet wipes, sanitary towel and so on. shouldn’t cause a lot of problems in the end, however, if too many of these products are flushed down toilets they will resultantly in the accumulation of other items, thereby that block pipes. This can result in nasty smells emanating around toilets/bin areas too! Always be aware of what should be flushed away and what should not (i. that only toilet paper is to have to be flushed).

Cause 4: Hair

Additional Information

• Blockage of Drains: Plumbing Tips and Solutions
• The Importance of CCTV Drain Inspections in Preventing Expensive Property Damage
• DIY Plumber - An Easy Guide to Unclog Your Shower Drain
• Ways to Find & Verify a Obstruction in Your Drain
• The Top Causes of Blocked Drains and Their Simple Solutions
• CCTV Drain Inspection: Find Out How it Helps Pinpoint Root Infiltration in Your Pipes
• Understanding the Technical Aspects of a CCTV Drain Inspection Report
• Expert Manual to Plumbing Cleaning for a Blockage-Free Home
• Don't Panic: Tips for Handling a Blocked Toilet
• The Most Comprehensive Handbook to Drain Clogs: Which Plumbers Use