abpipelines
A blocked drain is a frustrating yet common problem, made more stressful when water begins to rise in sinks and toilets, as it has no way to flow out of your property. Blockage can also produce unpleasant odours which in some cases pose a risk to health. Here we look at the top reasons why your drains might be blocked and the best ways to avoid this happening.
Trees, branches and leaves can easily build up in drains, especially in the autumn months. Leaves may have fallen from foliage around your property, or plant roots seeking moisture could have created cracks in the pipework and caused a blockage. Regular maintenance of surrounding plants will help to reduce the threat of drain blockage from any fallen leaves or debris.
Small objects such as bits of food, jewellery or toy parts can often fall down the drains or be flushed in a property. These objects can become lodged and build up inside your drains. It’s important to ensure that items aren’t unnecessarily rid of through the drains and are disposed of properly. If you are unsure what objects may be blocking your drains, a CCTV sewer inspection service will identify the cause of blockage and enable the most appropriate solution for repair.
Greasy or fatty substances are easily washed down sinks, most usually when cooking in the kitchen. The greasy remnants that slide down drainpipes as they are cleaned away, unfortunately do not flow through the drains like water. Instead they line the inside of the pipes and, if significant build-up arises, eventually lead to blocked drains.
Hair constantly sheds from our bodies, and is one of the top substances that falls through drains from showers, baths and sinks. As we know hair can easily become knotted and tangled, which can quickly prevent water passing through drainpipes. A good idea would be to use a device that grabs the hair before it can enter the drains, which are widely available.
Toiletries including makeup wipes or nappies are often flushed down the toilet when they should be put into the bin. These items will swell as they absorb water in the drains and they cannot easily disintegrate, causing blockage. Keep a small bin in bathrooms or by toilets, so that people won’t be tempted to flush their toiletries away.
