Blocked drains are nasty, not only because they are inconvenient and disgusting, but also because they become breeding ground for bacteria and create an unhygienic environment in your house. From hair and grease to various foreign objects that accidentally settles and may block your drain. Understanding how each material causes an issue gives you a chance to guard against it. When a plunger just can’t cut it,
Here are a few fixes to solve the problem for good
Hair: Hair falling in the shower is a common menace. It can occur while admiring your mane in the mirror over the sink, and washing or bathing in the bathroom which leaves off many hair to fall and cause blocked drains. These hairs pile up over time and start clogging your drain. Most of the times, it is quite easy to simply remove the hair from the drain and clearing the path straight away. But sometimes, it’s not that easy, especially when they cause issues deep down the drainage line. An ideal solution would be to pull out small amounts of hair from the drain with gloved hands. You can also purchase drain spiders that are effective in removing hair build-up in the drain. If that doesn’t work either, you can go for special devices and hair removal chemicals that can solve the problem.
Grease: Like hair, fat and grease also tend to build up usually in your kitchen sink. These are fatty substances that easily cause blocked drains and prove to be a real nuisance while cleaning. Grease tends to stick to the interiors of your drainage pipes and build up to the point that they block the passage of any liquid to pass through them. It is important to understand that this build-up does not leave the pipes easily. A possible solution would be to avoid washing utensils with fatty ingredients in the sink. Spill out any type of grease or oil in the garbage before washing the utensil in the sink.
Toiletries: Although many toilet manufacturers claim that they can handle disposal of toiletries down the drain, the reality is that they end up getting clogged as lots of toiletries are being disposed over time. Baby wipes and nappies are the two most common items that are flushed down and cause blockage. When they are immersed in water, they absorb it and enlarge in size which results in blocked drains and pipes. To avoid such situation, keep a garbage bin in your bathroom and dispose your toiletries in it. Also, do not forget to clear the bin from time to time to avoid an unhygienic house.
Dirt and Plants: Natural debris such as dirt, leaves, shrubs and trees can also prove to be an issue causing blocked drains, particularly after autumn and spring. With regular cleaning and maintenance, you will not only keep your garden looking great, but also retain the productivity of your drainage pipes. Leaves are not the only culprits that block your drains. But tree roots also head straight into your drains in search of water. To prevent these elements from blocking your drains, keep your garden clear of debris and fallen leaves. If you leave this mess unattended for a long time, it may severely block your drains and even cause structural damage to your pipes and drainage system.
Therefore, it is of prime importance to remove these materials before they clog your drainage pipes. But if you are unable to reach them with gloved hands or if any of other devices fail to work as intended, then it’s time to call a specialist dealing in blocked drains. They will come equipped with the right tools and products to clear the blockage and get them working again.
