The 3 Most Likely Causes Of Drain Blockages
As a homeowner, there are many things you need to contend with every day. And one of the most annoying and disruptive is blocked drains. Not only can this inconvenience every member of your household and cause delays in everyday tasks, but it can also be very time consuming if the issue is not addressed properly in the first place. Most causes of blocked drains are easily prevented by improving housekeeping and taking extra precautions around the home. In this blog, we’ll talk about 3 of the most common causes of drainage blockages.
Built-Up Grease
After you’ve finished cooking, it can be tempting to get rid of grease by pouring it down the drain. But, this is one of the most harmful things you can do to your drainage system. Substances used in cooking oils, greases and fats are very sticky and can easily fix themselves to the walls of your pipes. Over time, this creates solidified clogs that prevent water and other waste products from effectively draining away.
Instead, allow grease or oil to cook before transferring it to a sealable container. If you’re cooking with the type of oil that solidifies, we recommend waiting until this has happened before throwing it away in the bin. Otherwise, oils can be recycled in more recycling centres in a safe and eco-friendly manner.
Hair Down The Drain
As humans, we lose hair every single day – some of us more than others. And, if we’re showering or having a bath, this hair can get drained down into our systems. In small, this isn’t an issue – it’s something that happens commonly. But, over time and if you have high hair loss or longer hair, it can cause build-up over time. Hair easily becomes wound around plug holes, creating a barrier that doesn’t allow water to drain away easily.
One of the best ways to prevent this is to fit a drain protector. These offer either a domed or flat protective barrier with very small holes that allow the water to drain. However, instead of becoming entangled, the hair will simply sit on top. Otherwise, we recommend checking your plugs regularly for hair and removing it as quickly as possible.
Baby wipes
In the UK, wet wipes that are flushed down toilets are a contributing factor to more than 90% of sewage blockages. These items are simply not designed to go down the toilets – they do not disperse in water in the same way that toilet paper does. Even flushable wet wipes aren’t anywhere near as degradable in water as they need to be to pass through drains easily. There is also evidence to show that complete wet wipes have found their way into the ocean, causing havoc to marine wildlife.
Baby wipes should always be thrown in the bin – never down the toilet!
Here at West Country Drainage, we specialise in helping our residential customers identify and solve common drainage issues around the home. If you are dealing with repeat blockages or need to speak to a speciality, please contact us today.
