Blocked drains are a common and frustrating issue in households and commercial properties alike, often leading to inconvenient disruptions. Understanding the main culprits behind these blockages can help in taking proactive measures to prevent them.
Here are 5 of the most common reasons drains get blocked.
Hair Accumulation
Hair is one of the primary reasons for blocked bathroom drains, accumulating over time and entangling with soap and other residues to form stubborn clogs. Regularly cleaning out hair from drain covers and installing catchers can significantly mitigate this problem.
Fats and Grease
Fats and grease from cooking can solidify inside pipes, leading to severe blockages that are tough to clear. These substances should never be poured down the drain. Instead, they should be wiped off pans with a paper towel and disposed of in the bin.
Coffee Grounds
Despite their harmless appearance, coffee grounds can accumulate and solidify in pipes, causing significant blockages over time. The best practice is to dispose of coffee grounds in the compost or bin rather than rinsing them down the sink. A simple tactic like this can make a difference.
Food Particles
Food particles, especially when not intercepted by a plughole strainer, can accumulate and create blockages in kitchen sinks. To prevent this common issue, always scrape plates thoroughly into the bin before washing and fit your sink with an effective strainer to catch any residual food.
Wet Wipes
Despite being marketed as flushable, wet wipes are a notorious cause of drain blockages due to their failure to break down in water as toilet paper does. To avoid contributing to blockages, use only wipes that carry the ‘Fine to Flush’ certification, and ideally, dispose of wipes in the bin. The UK government is set to prohibit wet wipes that contain plastic too.
Incorporating Professional Help
For persistent or complex drain blockage issues, professional assessment and intervention are often necessary. There is the option to purchase drain lining from https://www.drainpower.co.uk/drainage-services/drain-lining/ which can repair damaged drains.
Adopting these preventative measures will help maintain free-flowing drains and reduce the likelihood of disruptive blockages.