Tips For Avoiding Blocked Drains

October 26, 2022

A blocked drain is an inconvenience that most of us can do without. Although at times a blockage is caused by a random event that can't be predicted or prevented, in many instances the blocked drain is caused by poor waste disposal habits. If you're eager to keep your risk of a blocked drain as low as possible, follow these effective suggestions.

Don't Dispose Of Unsuitable Items Down The Toilet

It's amazing how many blockages are caused by anything from nappies to paint being flushed away down the toilet. The drainage network that services a toilet is designed to dispose of human waste, along with a moderate amount of toilet paper. Anything else, and the system starts to struggle. Almost inevitably, if you dispose of larger items, awkwardly shaped items or tip waste materials down the toilet, you'll end up with a blockage.

Examples of items that shouldn't be flushed down the toilet include sanitary items, disposable nappies, cotton buds/Q-tips, cotton wool, make-up wipes or baby wipes.

Be Careful What Gets Emptied Down The Sink

Food detritus and grease are key causes of drain pipe blockages. Warm, liquid grease that's tipped down the sink can rapidly solidify in the cooler drainage pipework. As it cools, the grease traps waste in the pipe, creating an unpleasant 'fatberg' that can be difficult to shift. If you need to dispose of grease, we recommend pouring it into an old can, or similar receptacle and then disposing of it in the trash once it's cool. Commercial kitchens should invest in a grease trap.

Make sure that food scraps are removed from plates before they're washed (either by hand or in the dishwasher).

Install Hair Traps In Showers And Baths

It's normal to lose up to 100 hairs a day. Of this number, many are lost during hair washing and showering. That's an awful lot of hair to be disappearing down the plug-hole! Left unchecked, hair can form a stubborn, tangled mass in the drainage pipe. The tangle acts as a net, trapping waste to create a robust blockage. Hair traps are the solution. They are easy to install and cost just a few dollars.

Address Broken, Chipped Or Uneven Pipes

Over time, pipe interiors will inevitably begin to show signs of wear. Small cracks or chips in the pipe's inner surface alter the flow rate of waste as it passes through the pipe to the main drain. Any unusual contours are likely to slow the flow, prompting waste material to be deposited. As the amount of deposited material grows, the flow slows, creating the opportunity for further deposition to occur. This may swiftly lead to a blockage.

If your property is suffering from reoccurring blocked drains, despite good practice in waste disposal, it's probably worth getting the inside of your pipes inspected by a professional who may use a cable-mounted CCTV camera to take a look. Depending on what the CCTV shows, you may need the pipes relining, or other remedial work.

For a fast solution to blocked drains, as well as a competent provider of remedial drainpipe repairs, get in touch with the team at Richardson Plumbing.