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Blocked drains are sometimes inevitable. As a result, it can feel like little time has passed since you moved in before you need to clear your drains. However, you are not helpless. This article will bring to light some of the common causes of blocked drains and how to resolve them.
You can also learn more about the signs of blocked drains and how to fix the causes of blocked drains. This article also highlights drain unblocking services of local drain specialists and how plumbing contractors can help.
Signs of blocked drains
You cannot tackle common blocked drain issues on time if you do not know your drains are blocked. Indeed blocked drains can come up suddenly, or they may slowly creep in. Here are some signs to clue you in on blocked drains:
- Slowly draining bathroom or kitchen sinks or general slow water drainage
- Gurgling sounds in pipes
- Unpleasant odours or smells from drains
- Rising toilet water after flushing
- Low water pressure
Most common causes of blocked drains
Blocked drains generally cause a lot of problems for homeowners. How do drains get blocked? You may wonder. The following are some of the common causes of blocked drains:
Hair buildups
This is a common cause of blocked drains. Items such as dental floss and human hair can accumulate in pipe works of baths, showers, and bathroom basins. Hair washed down the drain can band together and combine with soap, shampoo, and other particles to form stubborn clogs.
Sometimes, using your hand to pull out small amounts of hair can get the water flowing smoothly and help to resolve the problem early. However, it would be best if you often had more effective drain-cleaning devices to resolve the more severe blockages.
Meanwhile, it would help if you were wary of using cheap chemicals and drain cleaners so you do not compound the problem. As an alternative, drain snakes are often quite effective.
Stuck sanitary products
Sanitary items such as tampons should not be flushed down the toilet. They are usually quite absorbent and can expand a lot. As a result, they can cause serious clogged drain issues since they do not break down.
Likewise, avoid flushing foreign objects such as condoms, baby wipes, and sanitary towels down your toilet drains. Using plungers or augers to resolve clogged drains is possible, but inviting blocked drain plumbers is often more effective.
Solidified fats and oils
Grease and fat can go down kitchen sinks and cause plumbing problems. These cooking fats or oils solidify and build up over time to block your drains. To prevent blocked drains of this sort, add detergent and boiling water if you must pour oil or fat down your sink.
The mixture will help break down the grease buildup. Alternatively, use a container to collect the fat and oil before it solidifies. Likewise, use paper towels to wipe up small amounts of fat and oil. You can thereafter throw out the containers or add the paper towels to compost bins.
Options to resolve blocked drains due to accumulated fats and oils include plunging the drain or using commercial drain cleaners. Plumbers recommend installing grease traps in kitchen sinks. This can help keep food scraps out of your drainage system. You will not have to get your drains cleared so often.
Climbing tree roots in sewers
Tree roots can penetrate through cracks or leaks in sewage pipes in search of water. Over time, this can cause more significant pipe breaches and, in turn, lead to sewer blockages and damages. Indeed, you can proactively get your drains and pipes checked for possible encroachment of root structures.
In fact, some people regularly perform drainage inspections as often as once every three to five years. The best corrective measure is to invite professional plumbers to resolve the problem.
Broken pipes
There are multiple causes of pipe breakages. Broken pipes arise from faulty installations or earth movements, or they could be due to tree root penetrations. Broken pipes are a severe plumbing issue because they can quickly lead to further damage.
You must regularly check for visible pipe leaks and water stains on ceilings and walls. If you notice signs of broken pipes, you should quickly invite professional plumbers. They have leak detection equipment and can fix leaking pipes.
Accumulated leaves, dirt, and natural debris
You may not draw a relationship between heavy rain and storms and blocked drains. However, heavy rains can move plants and dirt into outside drains and cause clogs. Trapped rainwater or stormwater can also cause corrosion, leaks, and pipe damage.
Thus, it is vital to regularly clean your gutters, remove fallen leaves, and maintain your gardens to avoid clogged drains and pipes. A professional plumber can help you remove natural debris blocking the drains.
Poor workmanship services
You need to be sure that the plumber who does your plumbing installations is good. Poor workmanship can cause blocked drains. For instance, the pipe sizing may be incorrect, or the drains may be laid to prevent water flow or trap solids.
How to fix causes of blocked drains
You need first to identify the exact cause of the blocked drain. The causes of blocked drains can be generally categorised as mechanical or chemical.
Fixing a mechanical cause of a blocked drain
Examples of causes of mechanical drain blockages include blocked drains due to tree roots, foreign objects, and poor habits. You may apply the following measures to fix such blockages:
- Use a drain snake to fish the blockage out
- Use a plunger to apply suction to loosen the blockage
- A jet rodding machine is helpful in thoroughly cleaning drains and blasting solid objects
- Use a drain cleaner to help clear shower drains
- Get help from a professional plumber
Using pipe relining to fix damaged drain pipes
Professional plumbers can use a pipe relining to resolve disintegrated or broken pipes. They apply pipe relining technology to structurally repair the pipes in the long term.
Fixing a chemical cause of a blocked drain
Accumulated or solidified fat is an example of a chemical cause of blocked drains. Use the following methods to fix them:
- Use hot, soapy water to remove the fatbergs
- Apply proprietary drain cleaner
- Invite a blocked drain specialist
Drain unblocking services of local drain specialists
First, an excellent local drain specialist can help you avoid the backfall of drain pipes. A good drain installation service ensures adequate backflow prevention so wastewater can flow smoothly and reduce blockages.
They can perform timely maintenance services for drainage fixtures and kitchen and bathroom sinks. You can rely on professional plumbers when you need to unblock drains or get your drain repaired. They are equipped with tools and techniques to diagnose and fix tough blockages.
For example, they can use drain cameras to identify drain back-falls and perform pipe relining if needed. They are also there when you need emergency plumbing services, including fixing stormwater drains.
A plumbing contractor can fix blocked drains
Reading this guide has helped you to know more about common causes of blocked drains. You also have a better idea of how to fix mechanical and chemical causes of blocked drains.
However, it is best to avoid making repairs yourself as you may cause more damage to fixtures or drain pipes. Plumbing work can be sensitive, and capable plumbing contractors with qualified plumbers can handle your plumbing installation, maintenance, and repair needs.
