Blocked drains can disrupt your life and can lead to expensive repairs if you don’t get them fixed. Fortunately, many common causes of drain blockages can be prevented if you stick to some simple habits and stay aware of what not to put into your drainage system
Fats and food in the kitchen
One of the most common causes of blocked drains is the incorrect disposal of unwanted food and fats in the kitchen. It may seem harmless to pour cooking oils, fats, and grease down the sink when they are in liquid form, but they can quickly solidify in your pipes and cause a buildup that will trap other food debris. To stop this buildup, always throw cooking fats in the bin and not down the drain.
Putting food scraps down the sink is another common cause of blockages. Culprits such as coffee grounds, eggshells, and bits of food can accumulate in the pipes, so use a sink strainer to catch any bits of food and put them in the bin. If you need CCTV drain surveys Reading, companies such as https://www.drainpower.co.uk/drainage-services/cctv-drain-surveys/reading offer a full range of drainage solutions.
Bathroom sinks and drains
In the bathroom, the most common cause of blocked drains is hair. This can wash down the plughole and combine with soap scum and other debris to form clogs and blockages. To prevent this, use a drain cover or hair catcher in your bath or shower, as these can stop hair from entering your plumbing system.
Another important thing to think of is what you flush down the toilet. Water companies promote this as the three Ps – only poo, pee, and paper should be flushed away. Items such as wet wipes, cotton buds, and sanitary products should not be flushed, even if they are labelled as flushable. They don’t break down in your pipes and will cause blockages that could even affect the pipes in your street.
If you use these preventative measures in your kitchen and bathroom, you can reduce the chance of having a blocked drain.
