Clogged Drains: The Major Cause and Solutions

A blocked or leaking drain can be messy and annoying. It forces you to clean several areas repeatedly, which only increases your workload and adds to the frustration. This is the reason you should determine the problem right away.

According to Waltonplumbing.co.nz, clogged drains are the most common plumbing problem. Read on to know the root cause of the problem.

Here are some of the culprits:

Hair

Each time you take a shower or shave, the hair goes down the bathroom sink. Over time, these hairs accumulate, eventually leading to clogged drains. You can address this issue by using a screen to trap the hairs before they go down the drain.

Food Particles and Grease

The major cause of clogged kitchen drains is the accumulation of grease and leftovers. Over time, they lead to reduced drainage efficiency and finally a drain that is completely blocked. It is an issue that can be easily addressed by paying attention to the liquids you pour down the sink. A screen can also be used to capture any stray food particles.

Tree Debris and Leaves

During the rainy season, tree debris and leaves get carried away by runoff. Ultimately, they end up in your drains resulting in blockage. The best way to deal with this issue is to make sure your yard is clean.

Other prevention strategies:

• Avoid trying to flush any foreign objects down the drain. Drains are built to handle water, sewage, and tissues. Any other object increases the risk of blocked drains.
• Steer clear of chemical drainage products as much as possible; especially so, if your plumbing is made of cast iron pipes. Such chemicals over time cause erosion and degradation of the piping resulting in leaks.

With time, clogged drains are inevitable. Also, the gradual degradation of pipes (especially iron pipes), eventually results in leaking pipes. Doing a routine plumbing maintenance and having practical solutions are necessary to avoid costly problems.