Top 5 Blocked Drain Causes
Blocked drains are a day to day occurrence, but most can be avoided. Anything that gets put the down the drain has the potential to cause a blockage, so it is important to monitor what is entering your drainage system. These are the top 5 blocked drain causes:
1. Kitchen Oil, Grease & Fat
In a busy kitchen environment people often mistakenly pour used cooking oil, grease and fat down the drain thinking it will be washed away with water. This is one of the biggest causes of kitchen drain blockages. It is a regular occurrence in residential and commercial kitchens and can cause a health hazard if not dealt with quickly. Oily substances and fat sticks to the inside of the pipe – over time this can build up preventing liquids flowing through, resulting in slow draining water and can lead to complete drain blockage.
If are experiencing slow draining water – contact a professional team like Alton Pump Services to clear your drains and pipes to prevent the blockage escalating.
2. Long Hair
We are all constantly shedding hair, whilst most might come out when you brush your hair, a large amount of hairs will also wash down your plug hole when you shower. Despite hair being very fine it does not degrade quickly and take up to 2 years to break down. An accumulation of hair can build up in the bends of your pipes and even catch other objects that are passing through your system. This build up will cause slow draining water and may eventually contribute to a full blockage.
3. Small objects
Forgot to remove a hair band or hair grip and it gets washed down the drain whilst you are showering? Is your child missing a small toy? Whilst these objects may not initially cause a blockage, over time grease, hair and grit may build up around the object (particularly on bends in your pipes and drains). Unless the object is removed the build up around the object will prevent water flushing through your drains which you might notice start to drain slowly or begin to smell. Get in touch with the professionals to have the object removed, this should prevent the building up increasing and causing further drainage issues.
4. Wipes & Nappies
Wipes and nappies are one of the biggest causes of blockages in toilets. Neither are designed to be flushed down the toilet. The sheer size of nappies can cause an immediate blockage, they are too bulky to be flushed through your drainage system and once they enter your drains will expand as they take on more water. Once they have entered your system they will not decompose. Wipes and nappies often contain non-biodegradable plastics which can take hundreds of years to break down.
Wipes have become popular this century for a variety of purposes, including baby wipes, make up removal wipes, and cleaning wipes. As well as contributing to the rise of single use plastics, wipes are generally not designed to decompose and can stick to grease and fat in your drains contributing to an obstruction.
5. Leaves, Plants & Roots
Even nature can cause an obstruction! If your gutters are not kept clear leaves and debris can wash into your drains. Sometimes you may find l small plants have begun to grow in your gutters which can be washed into your drainage system in heavy rains. Whilst natural materials will break down over time, it may not be quick enough and can cause slow drain water or in severe rains even flooding.
A common cause of broken drains are tree roots which are attracted to water – tree roots can crack pipes in your drainage system, these cracks will allow dirt and debris to enter your drains which can build up to a blockage.
If you have a blocked drain from one of our Top 5 Blocked Drains Causes – get in touch with Alton Pump Services on 01420 561661 to get your drains cleared by the professionals, we’ll keep you flowing!
