5 Common Causes of Blocked Drains and How to Prevent Them

Blocked drains can be a nuisance that could disrupt your everyday life. They can result in the destruction of your home’s plumbing, unpleasant smells, and even health risks. If they are not addressed promptly blocked drains can lead to severe problems for your plumbing system, resulting in costly maintenance or repairs.

Key Takeaways

• The blockage of drains can affect your routine and can cause water damage, bad odours and even health hazards.
• Oil, grease and fat build-up can clog the pipes’ walls causing blockages; avoid pouring grease down the drain. Alternatively, use soap and hot water to wash dishes.
• Tree roots naturally extend themselves into the ground searching for nutrients, which could cause serious damage, and also block the pipes completely and cause flooding. It is important to regularly maintain nearby trees around drainage systems by trimming them.
• The flushing of non-biodegradable products like wet wipes, towels, etc. can create unpleasant smells that can be detected around bins and toilets; be sure to take care to wash your toilet paper in the drain.
• Hair

In this post, we’ll review five common causes of blocked drains and ways to stop them from happening.

Cause 1. Grease, Oil and Fat Buildup

Grease, oil and fat could appear as harmless substances to drain down the toilet, however, over time, they begin to accumulate in the pipes’ walls pipes, causing an obstruction. As a result, water is unable to flow freely through drainpipes. The best solution is to refrain from throwing grease in the drain, or make use of hot water and soap to wash your hands when cleaning dishes because it assists to break down greasy substances.

Cause 2. Tree Roots

As time passes, tree roots naturally expand into the soil searching for nutrients which results in them growing toward underground pipes. Once inside these pipes tree roots can cause substantial damage and may completely block them, causing flooding. It is therefore essential if you have trees around to maintain their growth around drainage systems, by trimming them on a regular basis.

Cause 3: Items that are soiled

It’s easy to think that flushing items that aren’t biodegradable like wet wipes, sanitary towels etc. aren’t likely to cause major issues in the long run but when too many of these items are put in toilets, they’ll accumulate pushing others aside which can cause a bad smell to be released in the vicinity of toilets or bins! Always remember what should be flushed, and what shouldn’t (i. that only toilet paper needs to be flushed).

Cause 4: Hair

Additional Information

• Prevent Expensive Repairs with Regular Drain Maintenance
• Don't Let These Common Mistakes Clog Your Pipes
• End Clogged Pipes Now: Professional Tips to Try Immediately
• The Most Complete Guide to Clearing Clogged Drains: What Plumbers Utilize
• Easy and Safe Ways to Get Rid of a Stubborn Shower Drain Blockage
• Unblocking Blocked Drains: How to Choose Between DIY or Professional Services
• Cut Costs and Hassle with Trenchless Pipe Replacement for Condos
• DIY Methods for Clearing Blocked Drains at Home
• Clean Drains, Happy Home: 10 Methods to Maintain Your Pipes Unclogged and Unobstructed
• CCTV Drain Inspections: The Key to Preventing Clogs and Other Plumbing Issues