Blocked Drains: What to Know and How to Prevent It

Published: 11/10/2024

As a homeowner or tenant, you are bound to face a few common headaches when it comes to home maintenance. One of the most frustrating issues is a blocked drain. While it might start as a minor inconvenience that is easy to ignore, a clogged drain can quickly escalate into a more significant problem, causing costly damage to your home…or that of your landlord. Talking drains may not be the most pleasant conversation topic, but it is an important one nonetheless.

A blocked drain can disrupt your day-to-day life in more ways than you’d expect. You might not be able to flush your toilet, take a shower, or even use the washing machine. And while a temporary disruption might be inconvenient, there are often bigger concerns lurking beneath the surface. Blockages can cause long-term damage to your plumbing system, leading to burst pipes and, consequently, flooding. Let’s not talk about the aftermath of a flood because that is a whole new set of repair costs to face.
 
Stagnant water is also a breeding ground for bacteria and mould, both of which can negatively impact your health, especially if someone in your household has respiratory issues such as asthma or allergies.

What Causes Blocked Drains?

Understanding the causes of blocked drains can help you avoid the disruption that comes afterwards. There are a range of everyday activities that can contribute to a blockage, many of which you might not realise are causing harm. Let’s look at the top four:

1. Fat, Oil, and Grease:
 One of the most common culprits of blocked drains is fat, oil, and grease. When you pour grease or fat down the kitchen sink, it doesn’t just wash away. Instead, it solidifies as it cools, sticking to the inside of your pipes. Over time, this builds up and can cause a full-on blockage. Even if you’re running hot water after pouring grease down the drain, it won’t be enough to prevent it from solidifying further down the line.

2. Food Waste:
 Food waste, especially fibrous or starchy materials like potato peels, coffee grounds, or rice, can also cause significant blockages. Food particles that are left to disappear down the plughole can collect in the pipes, mixing with grease and creating a stubborn blockage.

3. Hair and Soap Scum:
 In the bathroom, hair and soap scum are the main offenders. Hair tends to clump together in the drains; soap scum, on the other hand, is a result of the fat and grease in soap combined with minerals in the water, leaving behind a residue that coats the inside of your pipes. Both of these can create blockages in your drains.

4. Foreign Objects:
 Sometimes, blockages are caused by items that should never have gone down the drain in the first place. Things like baby wipes, sanitary products, cotton balls, or even children’s toys can end up causing clogs. Toilet paper is designed to break down in water, but many other materials aren't, so flushing anything other than waste and toilet paper can lead to serious blockages. If in doubt, don’t flush it.

How to Prevent Blocked Drains

With a few simple changes to our daily habits, we can reduce the chances of dealing with clogged drains and the headaches they bring. Let’s look at the basics.

1. One of the easiest ways to prevent kitchen blockages is to avoid pouring fat, oil, or grease down the sink. Instead, let it cool and solidify, then scrape it into the bin. As for food waste, try to use a sink strainer to catch any large debris before it gets stuck in your pipes.

2. Remember, the only things that should be flushed down the toilet are human waste (yuck, sorry!) and toilet paper. Baby wipes, cotton balls, sanitary products, and even dental floss should go in the bin. These items don't break down in water, and they can easily get stuck in your plumbing.
 
3. Even if you’re careful about what goes down the drain, it’s still a good idea to regularly clean your drains. A simple way to do this is to pour a mixture of hot water and baking soda down the drain to break up any grease or soap scum that’s starting to build up. You can also use a plunger to clear minor blockages before they become big problems.

4. Installing a drain guard in your kitchen sink and bathroom can help trap hair, food, and other debris before it goes down the drain. These simple devices are inexpensive and easy to install, yet they make a big difference in preventing blockages.

Unblocktober

Unblocktober (sometimes referred to as Blocktober) raises awareness about the impact of our everyday habits on the UK’s sewers and waterways. It’s a month-long campaign that encourages individuals and businesses to make small changes in their daily routines to prevent drain blockages and protect the environment.

The campaign focuses on educating people about the dangers of pouring fat, oil, and grease down the drain, as well as flushing non-biodegradable products like wipes and sanitary items. These bad habits contribute to the formation of ‘fatbergs’: massive, solidified lumps of fat and waste that clog up sewers. Fatbergs can cause sewer overflows, flooding streets and homes, and they’re incredibly costly to remove.

Calling in the Professionals

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you will encounter a blockage that is too stubborn to tackle on your own. If you’ve tried plunging and using DIY remedies but still can’t clear the drain, it’s time to call in a professional plumber. These guys have the tools and expertise to identify the root cause of the problem and provide a long-term solution. They can use specialised equipment like drain cameras to locate blockages deep within your plumbing system, which can be especially helpful if tree roots or damaged pipes are involved. While it might be tempting to ignore a slow drain and hope the problem goes away on its own, tackling the issue early can save you from more significant (and more expensive) problems down the road.

Blocked drains really can be a major hassle, disrupting your daily routine and leading to costly repairs if left unaddressed. So, as we reach the mid-point of October, consider committing to healthier habits for your drains. It’s a win-win for your property…and your pocket!
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