Many people are unaware that a variety of objects shouldn’t be washed down drains or flushed down toilets. Items like nappies, baby wipes, dental floss and even small toys are known to cause blockages.
Luckily, there are some easy ways to avoid these problems and keep your drain plumbing healthy. Here are The main reasons why drains get blocked:
Grease and Fat
When fats and oils are poured down the drain they can easily solidify and become a major source of clogged pipes. They can then stick together with other solids that have been flushed down the drain and become aggregated ‘fatbergs’ which are very hard to clear.
The best way to prevent fats and oils from becoming a problem is to pour them into a suitable container such as a coffee can and throw them away on trash day. You should also wipe down greasy dishes with paper towels before washing them.
Mineral Buildup
Over time, minerals from your water can build up in your pipes resulting in limescale which can catch everything that passes through them and lead to a blockage. To reduce this, use a water softener in your home. Foreign Objects
Food Waste
Fats, oils and grease (FOG) are a major cause of blocked drains, especially in kitchen sinks. They can solidify and stick to the inside of pipes, restricting flow and causing clogs. When this happens, water and waste backs up into the home through sinks, showers and toilets. This causes costly and messy plumbing repairs.
Pouring grease and oil down the drain should be avoided at all costs, even if your kitchen sink has a garbage disposal. Instead, it should be collected in a jar or can and disposed of in the trash or a compost pile.
Other food waste like potato peels, eggshells and coffee grounds should also not be washed down the drain. Instead, they should be disposed of in the trash or a garden compost. The same goes for baby wipes and sanitary products, which should never be flushed down the toilet.
Toothpaste and Soap
Hair and soap scum don’t mix well with drains, building up into full-blown blockages over time. A simple way to avoid this is by installing a shower head filter or hair trap, as these are designed to catch hair before it enters the drain.
Fatty ingredients like grease, oils and fats are another common cause of blocked
drains. They may be liquid when washed down the sink, but once they cool they solidify and stick to the inside of pipes, causing them to clog. Instead, try pouring cooking oil and fats into glass jars to cool down before they’re discarded with the garbage.
Toilet paper, baby wipes and “flushable” sanitary products are other items that shouldn’t be flushed down the drain. These can wreak havoc on pipes, leading to serious blockages that require professional attention. If you notice signs of a blocked drain, such as slow flowing water or foul smells, act quickly! It’s always easier to fix a minor problem before it becomes a major one.
Small Toys
Children often drop toys and other objects down the drains, which can lead to a blockage. It’s best to teach children that nothing but water and toilet paper should go down the drains, and to use a sink plug or a child-proof cover on the bathtub. Also, jewelry, condoms and dental floss should never be deposited down the drain. These items can easily get stuck and require a specialist plumbing service like a drain cleaning technician or pipe relining company to remove.
Plants, dirt and leaves can often find their way into water drains, especially if you don’t carry out regular garden maintenance. It’s always best to keep these things out by keeping your outdoor area tidy. Blocked drains caused by natural debris can sometimes be fixed with a plunger or DIY drain auger, but more serious issues may need professional plumber attention. Finding help by going online to sites like https://www.fixitrightplumbing.com.au/plumber-canberra/blocked-drains-canberra/ will have a lot of resources and information on plumbing services.