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Common Causes of Blocked Drains and How to Prevent Them

Common Causes of Blocked Drains and How to Prevent Them
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Blocked Drains
August 2, 2024
Blocked drains are a pervasive issue and these obstructions can lead to severe plumbing issues, water damage, and unsanitary conditions. At Lakeside Plumbing & Gas, we have seen it all. This guide outlines the common causes of blocked drains and offers practical advice on preventing them. 

Household Waste

One of the chief culprits behind blocked drains is the accumulation of household waste. This category includes items like food scraps, hair, soap scum, and grease. Over time, these substances can collect in your pipes and create formidable blockages. 

Prevention Tip

Dispose of food waste in your kitchen bin and use a sink strainer to catch food particles. Avoid pouring grease down the sink; let it cool and discard it in the rubbish. Clean sink strainers regularly to prevent build-up. 

Food Scraps and Grease

Kitchen drains are particularly prone to blockages caused by food residues and grease. When you wash dishes, minute particles of food often make their way into the sink. In addition, pouring cooking grease down your sink is a near-certain way to ensure a blockage. As they cool, these greasy substances solidify and cling to the walls of your pipes.

Prevention Tip

Always dispose of food waste in the bin. Use sink strainers to catch food particles and hair, and regularly clean them. Avoid pouring grease down the sink. Instead, let it cool and dispose of it in the rubbish.

Hair and Soap Scum

Equally troublesome are hair and soap scum, which typically wreak havoc in bathroom drains. Hair easily binds with soap scum, forming a sticky, palpable mass that can rapidly clog a drain.

Prevention Tip

Always dispose of food waste in the bin. Use sink strainers to catch food particles and hair, and regularly clean them. Avoid pouring grease down the sink. Instead, let it cool and dispose of it in the rubbish.

Foreign Objects

Another common reason for blocked drains is the inadvertent or careless disposal of foreign objects. Items such as sanitary products, wipes (even those labelled as ‘flushable’), cotton buds, and children’s toys can cause significant obstructions in your plumbing system. These materials are not designed to disintegrate in water and can lead to extensive and costly damage to your plumbing infrastructure.

Prevention Tip

Dispose of sanitary products, wipes, and other non-degradable items in the bin. Educate children about what should and shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet.

Tree Roots

Western Australia’s picturesque landscapes are dotted with numerous trees and shrubbery. While aesthetically pleasing, tree roots are a notorious cause of drain blockages. These roots naturally seek out water sources, including your plumbing pipes. Over time, they can penetrate and grow within, causing obstructions and even pipe fractures.

Prevention Tip

Regular maintenance and inspections can help catch this issue early. If planting trees, position them sensibly away from pipelines and use root barriers to prevent intrusion.

Accumulation of Minerals

Water in Western Australia often contains high mineral content, known as ‘hard water’. These minerals can accumulate within pipes, leading to reduced water flow and blockages over time. The build-up is typically a slow process but can lead to significant plumbing issues if not addressed.

Prevention Tip

Investing in a water-softening system can be an effective preventive measure. Regularly descaling your pipes can also mitigate this problem.

Structural Issues

Occasionally, blockages may arise from structural problems within the plumbing system itself, such as misaligned pipes, sagging sections, or collapsed pipelines. These issues are often the result of poor installation, natural wear and tear, or ground movements.

Prevention Tip

Only hire reputable and certified residential plumbers for any installation, repair, or maintenance work to ensure the structural integrity of your plumbing system. Regular inspections can help identify potential problems before they escalate. Blocked drains are a common yet preventable issue that can cause significant disruption and damage to your home. At Lakeside Plumbing & Gas, we specialise in diagnosing and resolving all forms of plumbing blockages. If you encounter such an issue or wish to undertake preventive maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you maintain a smoothly functioning and obstruction-free plumbing system.
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