Common Causes & Solutions For Blocked Drains

October 7, 2022

Blocked drains are an incredibly stress-inducing problem for households to deal with. Apart from causing quite a stench in the house, a blocked drain might mean you can’t use the toilet or kitchen sink. Although they can be problematic, the good news is that most clogged drains stem from one of a few issues that are both preventable and solvable. That means you don’t have to worry about dealing with the issue for long. In this article, we’re going to look into the common causes and solutions for blocked drains to help inform you and remove some of the uncertainties around them.

Common Causes Of Blocked Drains

There are a few common causes of blocked drains that frequently occur in households. These include:

1. Food and oil Being Poured Down The Drain

One of the most common reasons for a blocked drain is the improper disposal of cooking oil and food scraps down drains. If you pour used cooking oil down your kitchen drain, there’s a strong chance that you’re adding to a buildup of fat and grime on the inside of the pipe. Over time, this accumulates and leads to a blockage.

2. Hair Clogs

Hair clogs are a common cause of blocked drains in the bathroom. When you go for a shower, it’s likely that hairs make their way down the drain. These hairs, coupled with certain types of soap, can become sticky and tangled, creating a nest that clogs the drain entirely.

3. Dead Leaves And Debris In Your Guttering

Your gutters and outside drains are also prone to blockages, particularly from dead foliage and leaf debris. As the seasons change and trees lose their leaves, the dead foliage might end up caught in your guttering and as it decomposes, it creates a blockage in your drains.

Solutions To Prevent Blocked Drains

Although all of these issues are quite common, the good news is that there are some really simple solutions that you can try to prevent blocked drains from causing you stress. Take a look at some of these below:

• Dispose of cooking oil properly by putting it in a container and then throwing it into the bin. Never pour it down your sink!
• If you have any leftover food scraps, be sure to put them in the compost bin before you wash your dishes or load them into your dishwasher. Any scraps could build up in your drains, causing a blockage.
• Avoid putting any waste down your drains to mitigate the risk of blockages. This includes things like coffee grounds, egg shells or grease.
• Never flush wet wipes or sanitary products in the toilet, as this greatly increases the chances of a blocked toilet drain.
• Make sure that you regularly clean your guttering to remove any debris and prevent the accumulation of detritus.

If you’re worried about your drains and think you might have a blockage, don’t worry! Tony Brown Plumbing is here to help. Get in touch with our team or give us a call on 0419 998 068 and we’ll sort your blocked drains in no time.

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