4 Common Causes of a Blocked Drain And How To Prevent It

Have you been noticing the water is taking a long time to drain? Or you can hear strange noises from your drain pipes? These are the early signs of a blocked drain asking for your immediate attention.

While they may occur as minor issues, not attending to them can worsen the situation creating major drainage problems in your home. What may seem a negligible issue at first, can turn into problems like flooding, corrosion, and even a sewage backup in no time; taking away a hefty amount of money from your pocket as repair costs. The simplest and the most inexpensive way of preventing a blocked drain is understanding its common causes so you can avoid them in the first place.

1. Hair

The most common reason for a drain blockage is hair buildup which stops the water from passing through the drain pipes. While it’s easier to remove the hair from the drain hole, it gets pretty hard to clean them once they get stuck inside the drainpipes. That’s when the actual problem arises.

The easiest way to prevent hair from blocking your drain is to catch them before they pass into the drain hole. Drain guards are available in the market that collect hair before they pass down the drains. However, make sure to regularly clean these drain guards so they can keep serving their purpose.

2. Toilet Paper

Toilet paper often becomes a reason for drain blockages. Even though it is made to be easily flushed, an excessive amount of it can cause a blocked drain stopping your toilet from flushing the waste. If the water is going down slowly, it indicates a partial blockage that can be cleared using a plunger. However, in the worst case, your toilet will start filling with water without draining at all. That’s when you need to call an experienced plumber to clear the blockage.

3. Oil And Grease

While oil and grease are one of the most common types of cooking waste causing a blocked drain repair, they are easily avoidable. Fats accumulate inside your drain pipes due to being sticky, and hence gradually clog your drain until there comes a point when water stops passing through it. Therefore, never spill the used cooking oil down the drain but instead, discard it properly to save your drains from clogging.

You might also be unaware of the fact that your regular soap bars can also block your drains. Since they contain fat or grease, which combines with the minerals present in water leaving a hard substance called soap scum. This soap scum can eventually clog your drain pipes. Having your drain pipes pressure cleaned every once in a while removes the soap buildup saving you from the hassle that comes with the drain blockage.

4. Food Waste

Coffee grounds and tea leaves do not dissolve in water, and can potentially cause a severe drain blockage when washed down the drain. Similarly, other food particles can also accumulate in your kitchen’s drain pipe causing you serious trouble. Therefore, while washing the dishes, make sure to throw the food waste in the bin and never let it go down the kitchen drain hole. Alternatively, you can keep a compost stash to collect the food waste and use it as an organic fertiliser for your plants. This way, you’ll be able to keep your drain from blocking while your plants will receive the required nutrients you would have otherwise wasted.

While there can be a number of other factors behind a blocked drain; these are few of the most common causes of drain clogs in homes around the world. If you are struggling with frequent drain blockages in your Cronulla home, calling a skilled plumber from Priority Plus Plumbing can be your best bet.