Have you ever faced blocked drains? If yes, you clearly have knowledge about the headache that you have to undergo during such a scenario. Blocked drains are extremely common household problems that might lead to slow drainage, unpleasant odour, and even severe plumbing issues. However, when you take proper care and have a little bit of knowledge, you are more likely to save yourself from such a situation by preventing blockages. Here we will discuss the reasons and how to effectively unblock them if the situation arises. Let us take a look at some practical tips on the way to keep your drains clear, and the things you must do when they are blocked.
Finding the major reasons for blocked drain
Before we try to find a solution and prevention, it is important that we understand the root cause of such issues. When you have comprehensive knowledge about the reasons that result in blocked drains in Lynwood and Mount Pleasant, you can prevent the situation from taking such a bigger scenario. Knowing the root cause will also help you to avoid making common mistakes.
❌ Food waste: Food particles, oil, and grease in kitchens can be a significant reason for blocked drains and sinks. Even if you have a proper garbage disposal, there are several items like eggshells, coffee grounds, and fibrous vegetables that might lead to blocked drain issues.
❌ Soap scum and hair: Bathroom drains are probably one of the most common scenarios to have faced such a situation. Some of the most common culprits include hair. As it keeps accumulating, it mixes with soap scum, creates stubborn clogs and leads to block drains.
❌ Foreign objects: Some of the most common objects like cotton swabs, toys, and sanitary products, when accidentally flushed down the toilet can actually result in drain blockage.
❌ Tree roots: Tree roots outdoors can also infiltrate the drainage system with small cracks within the pipes. It can cause severe blockage if not taken care of on time.
❌ Mineral buildup: Over the course of time, minerals from hard water start building up within the pipes which ultimately reduces water flow. If kept unaddressed, it can lead to blockage within the drains.
How to prevent blocked drains?
Now that you know the common reasons for blocked drains, you should also have knowledge about the way you can prevent such situations.
✓ Installation of drain guards: You can install strainers or drain guards as it tends to be one of the most inexpensive ways to prevent food particles, hair, and other debris from entering the drains and creating blockage. You can place these guards over your sink, bathtub, drains, and shower and properly clean them frequently to keep them functional and effective.
✓ Properly dispose of the grease: Never pour oil or grease directly down to your sink. Instead, pour it into a container, let it cool and then dispose of it in your trash. You can also use aluminium foil as grease will start settling and solidifying with time. Similarly, when you directly pour grease on the pipes, it will solidify and lead to blockages.
✓ Do not flush everything: Human toilets are essentially designed to flush human waste and toilet paper. However, there are people who also throw wipes, sanitary products, cotton balls, and several other items in the flush. It should be disposed of in the trash can rather than the toilet. Flushing these items can result in serious blockages within the drainage system.
✓ Clean the drain regularly: Regular cleaning of your drain is important as it prevents the building up of debris within it. You can pour boiling water down to the kitchen sink at least once a week to clear away the grease that starts accumulating in the pipe walls. When it is in your bathroom, you can also use a drain cleaner or maybe a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to break down hair and soap scum that builds in the pipe walls.
✓ Limit wasting and throwing food in the sink: It is always important to know that you must avoid putting eggshells, fibrous vegetables, large food, scraps, and coffee grounds down the sink. Rather, you can also scrape your plates into the trash can or in the compost bin before you wash them in your sink.
✓ Professional inspection: Frequent professional inspection is important to make a drain inspection. Professional plumbing services in Lynwood generally make use of specialised cameras to find out signs of damage and blockage. You can schedule annual inspections as it will help you to find issues before it takes a serious situation.
When to call a professional Plumber?
- If you find more than one clogged drain in your home, it can be an indication of serious blockage within the main sewer line.
- If you witness a persistent foul smell from your drains, it can be a reflection of trapped waste within the plumbing system.
- If you experience water backing up into your tub, sink or toilet, it can be a major sign of significant blockage that needs professional attention.
Call professionals from Austwest Plumbing & Gas
There can be several reasons for blocked drains in Lynwood and Mount Pleasant and other areas. It might not always be possible for a homeowner to pay attention to the reasons or take care of the drain the way professionals do. Hence, you can simply book a professional from Austwest Plumbing & Gas as we clearly understand that blocked drains can be a major inconvenience for households. Our professional plumbing services in Lynwood are prompt and ensure a clean drainage system and functionality.
You can also book our plumbers for regular maintenance as we ensure to thoroughly inspect and prevent the chances of serious issues. We greatly recommend you not to use DIY methods if it is already serious as it might lead to bigger trouble. You can call us today for a thorough inspection service and solution.
