You probably rarely think about your drains. They function well and you can go about your day without worrying. That is, until you smell a foul odour, or the water refuses to go down your drain. This can lead to domestic flooding, damaged pipes, and an expensive emergency call out for a plumber on the Central Coast.
But what exactly causes these blockages? Here, we will examine the top five most common causes of blocked drains and look into when it is time to call in the professionals to help you return your drains to their full functionality.
Leaves
Outside of your home, you may notice your drains becoming blocked. The culprit in this scenario is usually leaves and other garden debris. Tree roots can also crack your pipes and cause blockages, so keeping your garden in order is an essential part of blocked drain prevention.
Unexpected items
Have you noticed a lot of soap going down your drains lately? Or do you thoughtlessly throw sanitary items or cotton wool down the toilet and simply flush? These foreign objects are not meant to go down your drain and can create a serious clogging issue.
You should make sure that no one in your house is flushing unexpected items down the toilet; this can be especially tricky when it comes to little ones but is worth the effort.
Grease
Blocked kitchen drains are especially common, and you might be able to guess the culprit. Cooking grease causes many blocked drains, but it is entirely preventable. When you rinse cooking fat down your sink, you may not know that it clings to the sides of your pipes, and over time, this will cause your drainage system to become clogged.
If you notice your water draining more slowly, this is the right time to get in touch with a plumber to give the pipes a thorough rinse through and clean, before the blockage becomes so severe that your sink is entirely blocked.
You should try to avoid pouring grease or oil down your drains where possible, as this could save you time and money later on!
Hair
Common in bathrooms, but also sometimes seen in other drains, hair might seem unlikely to cause serious issues. However, as hair and soap build up in shower or bathtub drains, you may find that the water is draining slowly, and eventually stopping altogether.
Checking regularly for hair build-up is the best way of preventing serious issues, but if the water has stopped passing through completely, it could be time to reach out to a plumber before you encounter a flood.
Toilet paper
You might not see this one coming, but toilet paper can also be a leading cause of blocked drains. While, unlike foreign objects, it is specially designed to go down your drain with little to no problems, a large amount of toilet paper can still get stuck.
You should also avoid flushing wipes down your toilet, as this can lead to build-up that will not disintegrate over time.
Get in touch
Have you tried all of the techniques that you can think of to clear your drains but are still struggling with severe blockages? This is the time that you will need to get in touch with a plumber on the Central Coast to get professional help remedying and preventing blocked drains in and around your home.
