If you’ve ever found that a toilet bowl takes longer to empty after flushing? Or that the sink in your kitchen is slow to drain? Then you have likely experienced the signs of a blocked drain. Blocked drains and pipe networks manifest themselves in different ways across a home or property, with common indicators including gurgling in your pipes, slow-draining plugholes, and a bad aroma around your toilet bowl and sinks.
But one area that many are not familiar with is the cause of these blockages, specifically, what causes domestic drains to become blocked, and why it’s so important to address blockages early to avoid further build-up and potential damage.
In this blog, our blocked drain London specialists share the main causes of a blocked drain and why fast and effective drain cleaning and unblocking are required to minimise further damage.
Domestic Drain Blocks And What Causes Them
Some of the most common causes of domestic drain blockages are items that are not considered hazardous or problematic until they start to build up within a drainage system. Used cooking oil and fat from food prep are often found to be contributing towards build-up in a pipe, with homeowners flushing these components down the sink without really considering what happens to them when they solidify.
Hair from the shower drain is another common issue which, when allowed to build up, creates a blockage which can be difficult to shift.
And then there are foreign objects like face and baby wipes which many users flush down their toilet without really considering the impact on their drainage system.
All of these items contribute towards minor blockages which grow and trap other debris as they flush through the pipe network, building into a more severe problem over time.
What Happens If A Minor Block Is Not Removed Or Flushed?
In short, when a minor blockage is not dealt with and you do not engage in regular flushing and drain maintenance services, what starts as a minor blockage can soon become more problematic. When such blockages are not dealt with, they can cause undue pressure in the pipes which leads to damage in the form of cracks, as the water pressure builds.
The damage that this can create is extensive and costly, requiring significant groundwork and pipe replacement services. So, how can you avoid a standard blockage becoming an expensive and time-consuming problem?
The Role Of Drain Maintenance In Avoiding Blocked Drains
While existing blockages should be dealt with efficiently via an unblocking service, drain maintenance is another solution which offers consistent flushing of your entire pipe network. The aim of drain maintenance is to ensure that minor blockages and trapped debris do not build up into extensive and severe issues within the system, instead flushing away any potential blockages to ensure and enable a free flow of water.
Drain maintenance is the best way to prevent any blockages and subsequent damage, with this service available to domestic and commercial property owners through your local drainage services team.
