What causes blocked drains and how you can avoid them
Blocked drains are one of the most annoying issues that you can have in your home. Even if you are regularly treating your drains, blocked drains still happen due to a number of reasons.
What causes blocked drains
Sydney blocked drains are caused by many factors such as Grease, Hair, Food Waste and even Paper Towels. Blocked drains can occur due to not only food waste but also grease and oil which is usually caused by cooking oils, animal fats, and vegetable oils which usually get washed down the drain with hot soapy water.
The main reason that drains get blocked is due to the build-up of hair. Hair is the most common blockage culprit, as it has a habit of getting caught on things in the pipes and therefore blocking them.
When hair gets trapped in a pipe or down a plughole then it acts like a plug and prevents water from flowing through.
This can quickly result in water building up behind it. If this happens then you will get a build-up of water within the pipe, which could eventually overflow and cause water to spill out onto your floor or into your sink or bathtub.
Treat your drains regularly
The key to preventing blocked drains is to treat them regularly. This means regularly running the washing machine's hot tap after use to wash away limescale deposits, pouring some white vinegar down the sink, and leaving it for an hour before rinsing with boiling water once a week. This will help keep your drainage free-flowing and reduce the amount of hair that is deposited into your plumbing system.
Tell-tale signs that you have a blocked drain
The tell-tale sign of a blocked drain is the sound of water running down the drain in the sink or bathtub even after you have turned off the tap. If you hear this sound and there is nothing else that would explain it, then chances are that you have a blocked drain. There may also be signs that something has been accidentally flushed down the toilet such as chewing gum or paper. Sometimes, these items can block the drains so well that they cause an overflow in your toilet bowl.
Blocked drains can easily be prevented
To avoid blocked drains and to prevent bad odors, avoid pouring grease down the drain as it will harden at room temperature as well as in pipes. Instead, wipe up excess grease with a paper towel and dispose of it in the trash can. Also, avoid pouring any oils or liquids down your drains. Use strainers in all of your drains to catch any food particles that would otherwise clog the drain line.
Rinse properly. When washing dishes, try to use hot water instead of cold water. This will loosen up the grime and food particles that have accumulated in the sink.
Use strainers. Make sure to use strainers in between rinses to remove any food particles that have gone through. This would also help prevent food clogs in your sink because they would be caught by the strainer before they can even get into the drainpipe itself.
If you have a blocked drain, don't try to fix it yourself! Contact an experienced plumber in Northern Beaches who will find out what the problem is and fix it properly.
Milbur Plumbing Services
Website: https://www.milburplumbing.com.au
Address: Pittwater Road, Narrabeen, NSW, 2101, AU
Phone: 1300 645 287
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