How to Prevent Blocked Drains and Common Drainage Issues

In short, avoid flushing grease, food, hair, leaves, soap scum, and other foreign objects down your drains. Water is the only thing that should go down your pipes. Otherwise, you could be dealing with unpleasant odours, backflow, loud gurgling noises, and burst pipes. The solution to free-flowing pipes is simple! Find out how below.

If you’ve had a blocked drain before, you probably know they seem to strike at the worst possible times. The good news is that a blocked drain is one of those household headaches that is easily avoidable with a few simple habits and routine maintenance. We’ll break down the small things you might be doing that could harm your pipes and show you how to repair, improve, and prevent unwanted blocked drains and potentially major costs!

What Causes Drain Blockages?

We hate to break it to you, but when it comes to whatever flows down your sink, it’s not an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ situation. We can guarantee you, if it’s not water going down the drain, it’s probably building up to be a great deal of a headache later on. Some of these foreign bodies include:

Grease and oil buildup. A common pipe-blocking culprit; fats from cooking will solidify in your pipes, building up quickly until they trap other debris and block it completely.
Hair and soap scum: A classic combo in bathroom sinks and showers that will slowly narrow the drain.
Foreign objects, such as wipes, cotton buds, sanitary products, and even “flushable” wipes, can cause instant and sometimes severe blockages.
Tree roots: That overgrown tree in your yard has roots that need to go somewhere. Sometimes, roots infiltrate the drainage system, expanding over time until they block or burst a pipe.

Simple Habits to Prevent Blocked Drains

A little prevention goes a long way. Try taking on these small habits to save you time, money, and frustration:

In the Kitchen

Soak up the oil and fat in your pans with a paper towel or pour it into a jar, then throw it in the bin before washing. This disposes of the excess grease in a plumbing-friendly way.
Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps so they go in the bin, not down your kitchen sink.

In the Bathroom

Install hair catchers in your shower or bath drains so it collects for disposal instead of washing down the drain.
Avoid flushing wipes or sanitary items. Even if the packaging says they’re flushable, they can still expand in your pipes when soaked.
Rinse drains with hot water and baking soda as frequently as possible to break down soap scum and residue. Even once a week goes a long way.

Outdoors

Rake out those leaves and garden debris from your gutters, especially before storm season. It could save you from blockages and potential flooding.
Keep your garden hedged and trees and roots trimmed so that they don’t grow toward your pipes.
Frequently check your yard for pooling water, as that could be a telltale sign that you have an underground blockage.

Spot the Early Warning Signs

Catching a drainage issue early can save you a lot in expenses, time, and hassle. Common signs you want to look out for include slow-draining sinks or showers, gurgling sounds from your pipes, unpleasant odours, water backing up in toilets or sinks, and damp patches or lush, green areas in your yard. If you notice any of these, it’s best to call a plumber before things get worse!

Know When to Call the Professionals

Most blocked drains need professional attention. In some cases where the blockage is minor, DIY drain-cleaning solutions can do the job. However, it’s always best to assume that the issue needs professional repairs, especially if you want to save yourself from severe collateral damage down the track. A licensed plumber can use tools such as CCTV drain cameras to inspect pipes and locate blockages, high-pressure jetters to clear stubborn build-up, and root-cutting machines to remove tree roots. With a thorough repair solution in place, you’re guaranteed the problem is dealt with properly and won’t come back worse a second time.

Need help with a blocked drain?

If you’ve spotted any warning signs or just want peace of mind, book a professional drain inspection today with Enviromate. A quick check-up now could save you a major plumbing headache later!