3 Common Ways Drains Get Clogged

Whether it is your kitchen sink, your bathroom, or your laundry, all paths lead to your drains in a home. Keeping your drains cleared and free from any blockages is important for ongoing maintenance and helps you avoid any issues with your plumbing. 

Drains can become blocked for a range of reasons including heavy rainfall, debris getting clogged in the drains, and general water build-up, if you want to keep your drains unblocked and free from blockages, be sure to read on for some great tips.

Common causes of drain blockages 

There are plenty of reasons why drains get blocked and being aware of simple ways to avoid a clogged drain could save you big bucks in the long run and save your drains from needing repair. Here are 3 common ways that drains get clogged:

1. Using too much toilet paper 

This can be common particularly when you have kids in the house, however, it can be a cause of blocked or clogged drains that can be fixed using a simple plunger. According to plumbing professional Dmitri Kara, your drains can manage semi-solid human waste and a small amount of toilet paper, however, it does have limitations and teaching children and anyone in the household a suitable amount of paper to use in the toilet can help you avoid a call out from a plumber. 

2. Trying to dispose of kitchen waste down sinks 

If you have ever washed up or cleaned up the kitchen you would be aware of the temptation to try and push food scraps and food particles down the drain. Be careful not to put anything other than water down the sink as it could cause a build-up to occur and clog the drains. 

Put the food scraps directly into a bin or green waste to avoid any clogged drain issues. You should also be careful not to pour oil or grease down the sink as it can build up and clog the drain causing some serious damage and requiring a full flush out of your drains. 

3. Twigs and branches in gutters left uncleared 

Not conducting regular cleanouts of your gutters or not having functioning gutter guards can cause issues with your drainage and even wind up causing your drains to overflow in heavy rain. Blockages don’t just happen in the inside of your house, be careful to clear out any blockages from your gutters and drains to make sure there is no build-up in the stormwater. 

Summing up

Using your drains properly is the first step in keeping them free from debris and plumbing issues. Be sure to clear your drains regularly to ensure they are free from hair, particles, and any potential blockages and also use the toilet correctly to keep your plumbing in great shape. 

Often simple blockages can be solved using a plunger, however, if your drains are overflowing or the issue is a serious one, be sure to call a licensed plumber without delay. 

If you have a blocked or clogged drain and need some professional plumbing help, be sure to call in an expert rather than heading down the DIY route. A licensed and experienced plumber understands the detailed nature and importance of plumbing and can get to the bottom of why you are experiencing blockages or clogged drains. Be sure to take the time to care for your drains and sinks and avoid putting anything down there that isn’t water so you can ensure the longevity of your plumbing. 

About The Author: Emma Williams is a freelance writer and lifestyle blogger, and has written for big names including The Telegraph, Marriage.com, Tech Times and London Loves Business. She is currently focused on maintenance and landlord topics and keeping the Portico Direct blog updated.

Photo by Dane Deaner on Unsplash