The Top Causes of Blocked Drains and Their Simple Solutions
Blocked drains can be a frustrating problem and cause many inconveniences. They can lead to unpleasant odors, slow draining water, and even sewage backups. You can prevent blocked drains by understanding the causes.
Blocked drains are caused by different reasons, and if not adequately addressed, can lead to costly repairs for your home or business. Here are five common causes of blocked drains and how to prevent them:
1. Foreign objects
Foreign objects such as food particles, hair, soap residue, and paper products can cause blocked drains. These materials stick together inside pipes forming a blockage that prevents water flow.
To prevent these blockages from occurring:
- Cooking oil should be disposed of in the trash, not the sink
- Avoid pouring leftover food debris or coffee grounds into the sink
- To prevent hair accumulation, install drain covers in bathtubs, sinks, and shower stalls
- Use minimal toilet paper when flushing
2. Tree roots
Tree roots often grow toward water sources such as cracked pipes or pipe joints where they can infiltrate and eventually cause a complete blockage within the pipe.
To prevent tree root intrusion:
- Hire professionals to properly install pipes so they’re level
- Avoid planting trees near sewer lines
3. Grease buildup
Blockages can be caused by grease buildup. Many people pour hot grease down their kitchen sink since it’s liquid form making it easily escapes from dishes but congeals quickly once it cools off deep inside your pipes causing stubborn clogs.
You can dispose of grease-laden oils and other greasy substances in your kitchen sink by emptying the trash into a garbage bin, rather than pouring it into your kitchen drainage system.
4. Structural damage
Cracked or collapsed pipes due to age, weather or changes in the soil can cause blocked drains. Signs of structural damage of pipes include:
- Slowly draining water
- Multiple blocked fixtures
- Mold growth
- Foundation cracks
To prevent structural damages:
- Regular inspections of your sewer lines with CCTV inspections are recommended so that professional repair companies can detect and correct any problems.
5. Incorrect pipe installation
Bad pipe design or incorrect installation can cause blocked drains. It is possible for large debris to build up in unreliable areas, causing blockages.
To prevent such occurrences, hire professionals to properly install pipes and ensure the pipes meet the recommended standards for sizes and torques.
Conclusion
If left unattended, blocked drains can cause serious problems. Be proactive about preventing blockages by taking preventative measures, hiring professionals for regular maintenance checks, following plumbing code requirements during constructions, placing catch baskets on screen traps in sink an drain shower outlets to capture any debris before it reaches the drainage system. Take care of your pipes today to ensure that they remain clear tomorrow and in years ahead.
The key takeaways
These are the most important things to remember after you have read this article.
- Foreign objects like hair, soap residue, paper products and food particles are common causes of Blocked Drains.
- Tree roots can grow towards water sources like cracked pipes, causing complete obstruction within the pipe.
- Grease buildup deep inside your pipes causes stubborn clogs leading ultimately leads to Blocked Drains.
- Cracked or collapsed pipes caused by weather, age or ground shifts can cause structural damage that impair smooth water flow.
- Incorrect Pipe installations may leave very tight bends susceptible for large debris causing accumulative blockages. from wastes going through drainage system.
- Hire only qualified-professionals plumbers for regular check ups instead of waiting for emergencies.
- Follow standard local plumbing codes during construction.
- To capture debris that does not reach the drainage system, place catch baskets on screens traps.
