3 Common Causes of Blocked Drains

Hearing the dreaded glugging sound after pulling out the plug suggest one thing - a blocked drain. The glugging sound is created as the air slowly rises past the blockage in the drain and the water is released. If you do not take action now, eventually your drain will become completely blocked. Below is a guide to 3 common causes of blocked drains and how you can deal with them:

Fat and Grease

Grease and fat from plates and pans can easily begin to block your kitchen sink. As the grease or fat travels along the pipe beneath your kitchen sink, it cools and congeals. As it congeals, it can stick to the sides of the pipe causing the diameter of the pipe to narrow. Other debris which is washed down the sink will then collect in this layer of fat, leading to further blockages. To prevent this from happening, you should avoid washing fat or grease down your kitchen sink by wiping plates and pans with an absorbent cloth before you rinse them. If your pipe has become blocked by grease and fat, you should pour boiling water down the drain to melt any build up in the pipes. If this does not work, you should contact a plumber.

Hair

Human hair is very made of very tough fibres. It most often affects the pipes in your bathroom. When you shower, strands of hair will fall out and are quickly washed down the plug hole. Once in the pipes, the hair can become tangled in other debris, accumulating into thick balls which create a complete blockage. You can avoid this, by investing in a filter for the plug hole. The filter is designed to allow water to flow while also capturing any stray hairs which are washed into the drain. If you suspect hair is blocking a pipe in your bathroom, you can attempt to remove the blockage using over-the-counter drain cleaners which will dissolve the blockage. If this does not work, you should call a plumbing service.

Leaves

Your outdoor drains are most likely to be affected by fallen leaves, especially during the autumn months. The leaves collect over the drain covers and prevent water from entering the drain. Alternatively, they may be washed down the drain where they collect together and form a blockage. You can prevent this from happening by collecting leaves as they fall from the surrounding trees. You may also wish to invest in a cover for your outdoor drain which will help to prevent leaves from falling into it. Outdoor drains can be dangerous environments so if they are blocked it is always best to call in a professional plumber.

If you would like to find out more, you should contact a plumbing service.

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