What You Should Know About Blocked Drains?

Blocked drains are a nuisance and if not prevented and repaired on time it can cause huge inconveniences at the most inopportune times. However, if these are caught on time, serious overflows, leaks and electrical damage can be prevented. If the drain is outdoors, the blocked drains are probably a result of a buildup of tree roots, dead leaves and various kinds of debris. These prevent the water from flowing freely. In case there are blocked drains indoors, this is usually caused due to objects or materials which are heavy that are flushed down the drain. These clog the pipes and cause obstructions to the drains.

Blocked Drains

How to Prevent and Repair Blocked Drain

• Depending on the location of the drain, the culprit is usually different. Kitchen drains are usually blocked as a result of grease, food and other such material that is washed into the drain. If it is the toilet, it is usually the result of sanitary products or paper towels which clog the drain. If it is the bathroom it could be hair which clogs the drain.

• In order to prevent the drain from getting blocked, you should check the state of the drain, what is going into the drain and also the area around it. If there is a foul smell or ceilings, walls or roofs that are leaking or damage to electrical fittings or wiring, it could be the blocked drains.

• In order to prevent the kitchen drains from getting blocked, the waste should be monitored on a regular basis. The plates should be scraped of food so that the particles do not go down the drain. The detergent and soap need to be used in adequate amounts so that these can break up the grease as well as oil. Grease should never be poured down the drains and incase it is poured, and then it should be followed with a hot water blast so the grease does not cling to the pipes.

• Drains in the bathroom can be prevented from clogging by ensuring foreign objects are not dropped down the drain nor is hair, face wipes, cotton wool, nappies or tampons. Excess toilet paper usage also causes the drains to clog.

• If the drains are outdoors, garden waste and foliage should be kept far from it. The garden should be swept regularly and a compost heap should be used where possible.

• The roots of trees are in search of moisture and so they head towards cracking pipes and this can also result in blocked drains. 

• In households where there are children, usually toys are flushed down the toilet and this causes blockages.

• In order to unclog drains, a wire coat hanger should be straightened and should be bent to form a hook. This should be pushed past the cover of the drain and you should fish with it. this will get all kinds of gunk out of the drain.

• 1/3 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of vinegar needs to be poured down the drain. The fizz will remove the gunk which has built up in the drain. This needs to be built with hot water after an hour.

• Boiling water needs to be poured down the drain to help dissolve the grease and fat. Caustic soda too can be used down the drain and that needs to be followed with water. This will fizz, heat up and unclog the drain.

A plumber’s wrench is used to unclog pipes as well and for clogs that are further down, a drain snake can also be used for blocked drains. However, if all these methods fail, it is best to call a professional plumber for a blocked drain.