Blocked drains can be a major inconvenience and can even lead to costly damage if not addressed promptly. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including grease and oil, hair, foreign objects, and tree roots. In this article, we will discuss the most common causes of blocked drains and provide simple solutions for fixing them.
By following the tips and solutions outlined in this article, you can effectively fix blocked drains and keep your plumbing flowing smoothly.
The Top Reasons Why Drains Get Blocked
- Roots of a Tree
Tree roots are a typical culprit in the clogging of drains. Tree roots can enter a sewer pipe if the pipe is damaged or the root system is sufficiently robust. The line must have been broken before the tree roots penetrated it, say other plumbers. Tree roots are destructive to pipes in any case. Large trees on or near a property often cause this kind of obstruction. An obstruction can only be removed with jet-rodding equipment. Repairing blocked drains usually requires digging up the pipe and starting over. Sometimes, a broken pipe can be repaired without digging it up and replacing it.
- Food and Fats
Especially in the colder months, Blocked Drains from food and fats are a common problem. Put trash, such as food scraps, in the trash can rather than the sink. As they soak up the water, foods like rice and pasta expand and can clog your drain. Furthermore, fats are not suitable for the pipes in your home or the city’s sewage system. “Fatbergs” are the solidified mass of oils and fats washed down the drain. Do not flush fats and oils down the drain, as doing so can lead to forming a fatberg. Wait for them to harden, and then scrape them into the trash.
- Wipes
According to popular belief, the only acceptable items for blocked drainsin a toilet are those that include either human waste or toilet paper. Despite the widespread availability of toilet paper, flushable wipes and paper towels have increased. It was already a problem before the arrival of COVID-19 because the packaging incorrectly said that the contents could be flushed. Wet wipes and paper towels should be kept from being washed and thrown away. When exposed to water, toilet paper dissolves. Towels and wipes absorb much water, which might lead to a clogged toilet.
- Compact, Stable Items, like Toy
Kids can be unpredictable when it comes to the unavoidability of flushing small solid objects down the toilet. A toy flushed down the toilet by your child won’t cause any damage to your plumbing if it breaks up and floats down the blocked drains—a clog forms when water does not drain from the sink or bathtub after being flushed. If you want to clear the drain of its obstruction, you’ll need a jet-rodding machine. If your kid likes the item back after it’s been dunked in the sewer water, an electric eel or drain snake might be able to fish it out.
- Hair
Hair is a typical culprit in clogged showers. Hair, when combined with the residue left behind by shampoos and conditioners, can form a thick sludge that can clog drains. You can remove this sludge and get your shower drain working again by using a drain cleaner that contains sulfuric acid. A sani-snake can remove the obstruction just as well. After washing your hair, don’t flush it down the toilet or other drain because it could rise in Blocked Drains. Collect the threads and toss them in the trash.
6.A sludge of soap
Scented fat-based soaps may cause blocked drains. A clog in the fixture may result when they combine with human hair and other trash. The combination of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar is a tried-and-true home remedy for unclogging drains. Put half a cup of vinegar and a third cup of bicarbonate soda. The pipes can also be cleaned thoroughly using jet-rodding equipment to avoid further accumulation and clogging.
Conclusion
There must be a way to prevent these typical causes of blocked drains from occurring on your property. These suggestions should help you avoid them altogether or give you the self-assurance to deal with them if they occur.
