Every homeowner dreads hearing the words blocked drain because it means you’re going to be dealing with a messy, and sometimes quite costly repair. Then there’s the sheer inconvenience of it all.
While many homeowners take the drain clearing issue upon themselves, most avoid the frustration and immediately call the blocked drain plumber Brisbane locals rely on for speedy repairs. Opting to use a professional plumber will ensure that your repair is done safely and correctly, and is also more likely to be a long-term solution.
Drains Don’t Have to be Nightmarish
Blocked drains usually don’t start as the enormous mess they are by the time you call the plumber. Usually, it’s a build-up of weeks or months of gunk systematically sticking to the sides of your pipes.
This can be caused by anything from foreign objects that have been dropped into the drain to continuous hair, grease, cooking oil and food scraps that get stuck and create a thick, messy blockage.
Not only is this a major inconvenience, but a vast amount of bacteria is flowing back up the drain and streaming all over the place. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent blockages before they get out of hand. Let’s delve in and take a look at some of the main culprits that cause blocked drains.
1. Cooking Grease, Fat, and Oil Build-up
The number one cause of kitchen sink blockages is, without a doubt, a huge build-up of grease and oil. While you might be pouring the oil and grease down the drain in its liquid form, it’s important to remember that this grease turns to fat as it cools and clings to the sides of the pipe walls.
Preventing drain blockages is much simpler than dealing with the fatty mess that washes up from a blocked drain. Follow these simple steps to keep your kitchen drain clean and reduce the chances of blockages:
- Don’t pour any oil, grease or liquid fat down the kitchen sink. Rather dispose of these liquids in the garbage or check your local listings for recycling options. Place old, or leftover oil in glass jars and drop it off at the local recycling center.
- Clean food scraps off of plates before placing them in the sink.
- Pour boiling water down the drain after every dishwashing session to loosen any grease buildup. For drains prone to blocking, consider doing this every morning.
- Find out about a facility that does oil recycling. Place old or leftover oil in glass jars and drop them off at the local recycling centre.
2. Soap and Hair Build-Up in Bathroom Sinks
It’s common for bathroom sinks and showers to become blocked. Hair fall and soap scum are huge contributors to this. The main reason for this is that soap contains oils and fats, which harden in the drains. Not cleaning your drains often can lead to a significant blockage.
Avoid letting hair and soap build-up turn into blockages further down the drain. Here are some tips to help you keep your bathroom drains clear:
- Clean your drains and sinks as often as you clean the rest of your bathroom. Don’t wait for a blockage.
- Be sure to use rubber gloves to avoid contact with bacteria already swirling around in the pipes.
- Pull out as much hair and soap as you can reach. Use drain spiders or fashion a hook out of a wire coat hanger to reach in and pull up any buildup.
- The oils in soap harden and make the matter worse, so use a mixture of boiling water, baking soda and vinegar to break down the soap. Vinegar is also a great antibacterial cleaning agent and eliminates odours. Afterwards, pour some lemon juice down the drain to create a fresh citrus smell.
- While some drain cleaners claim to dissolve hair and soap suds, it’s important to check with your plumber if these products are safe to use in your specific plumbing system. Some of these cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can cause additional damage and corrosion to older pipes.
3. Blocked Toilets
Blocked drains can also stem from issues relating to your toilets. The number one reason for this is that nappies and baby wipes are being flushed. While the wet wipes seem to disappear when you flush the toilet, it’s essential to know that these items cause a problem somewhere down the pipeline.
Wet wipes and nappies might be small, but as they become immersed in the water in the drainpipe, they enlarge and block the pipes. The golden rule in your home should be that toilet paper should be the only unnatural item being flushed. This will help to reduce blockages in the outside drain.
Final Thoughts
Blocked drains are not only annoying but can also damage your property and create a health hazard. Use our tips to help reduce the likelihood of dealing with a blocked drain. If your drain is continuously getting blocked, there may be a bigger issue to deal with. Call your trusted plumber for an assessment and a safe, long-term solution!
