5 Main Causes of Blocked Drains

One of the most common plumbing problems that many plumbing companies in Australia deal with are blocked drains. It’s a plumbing problem that requires immediate attention since it leaves toilets and sinks unable to drain, resulting in an awful lingering smell. 

Why Drains Get Blocked

What are the main causes of this plumbing problem? We’re going to look into the main causes of clogged drains and how they can be prevented.

1.    Grease and Fat

This is a major cause of clogged drains but also the easiest to prevent. Fatty and grease material mostly comes from the food residues and soaps that are washed down the drain. As the dirty water goes down the drain, the fatty and greasy matter solidifies, and due to their sticky properties, they collect to the walls of the pipe to form a mortar that’s difficult to remove. Draining hot water or mild homemade drain cleaner regularly can help in preventing drain clogs. This can also create quite an awful smell, learn how to prevent drain odours here.

2.    Hair

It may seem too delicate to cause a major clog but hair buildup can create a huge problem for the homeowners. If you’re used to shaving in the bathroom and then washing the hair down the drain, then that may be the cause of the regular stubborn clogs.

Hair clogs mostly become tough as they combine with other material such as the grease and fat. When the hair is washed down the drain, it collects on the walls of the pipe where it starts building up slowly. There is a range of products on the market you can use to catch the hair before going down the drain hole.

3.    Foreign Object

Most of the common foreign objects that can block the drain system include the nappies, soaps, too much tissue paper, and sanitary items. If you’ve young children in the house, there is the likelihood of them flushing toys and other substances down the drain. Most of them will not block the drain completely but can cause the build-up of other substances washed down the drain to cause a serious clog.

4.    Trees and leaves

If you have trees in your compound and mostly along the sewer line, then you are like to experience blocked drains pretty regularly. First, falling leaves (mostly during the autumn) are washed down the drain and can cause a buildup in the sewer line and this will definitely result to a clog. The second and most tough to deal with are the tree roots in the drain. Tree roots may get into your drain by cracking the pipe in search of moisture. Flushing down chemicals that kill tree roots is one of the best ways to prevent their growth into the pipe.

5.    Poor Workmanship

The quality of your drain system also contributes a lot when it comes to blocked drains. If the pipes are extremely fragile such as with clay pipes, they are prone to damage that can lead to a blocked drain. Such pipes should feedwater with a lot of care to avoid problems. In some cases, the quality of the plumber can also be the cause of the problem.

Here are a few more tips on how to prevent your drains from getting clogged.