Common Causes of Blocked Drains and What You Can Do About It

Blocked drains often come with running a household. While maintenance and repair should always be entrusted to a plumber, there are many things you can do to ensure that drains do not get blocked constantly. Some of these might even help you resolve your issues on your own.

To begin with, here are some common causes of blocked drains:

We've come up with some tips to help you with your own drain issues. These can come in handy, especially during times of an emergency. It is still important to call the plumber and book a visit as soon as possible, but here are things you can do in the meantime.

Stop Using the Blocked Drain Immediately

You don't want to aggravate the problem by adding to it, so make sure that you put a pause on using that sink or shower once you detect blockage. Hair trappers or catchers can help prevent this problem in the future.

Identify the Cause of the Blockage

Check out the usage habits of your household. Here are some possible suspects: food, oil, plastic, medical waste, paper, cotton, and other hazardous materials such as petrol, paint, or corrosives.

Make sure items do not make contact with the pipes. Food is a usual suspect, even if you have a shredder for your kitchen sink.

Keep a Drain Cleaning Schedule

Weekly quick cleans involve clearing out debris from kitchen and bathroom drains. Tools such as drain snakes can be used to remove hair build-up on shower drains often.

Monthly cleaning is also ideal, as this can help you maintain your drain spic and span. This can involve using a special chemical to dissolve build-up in your drains. Pro tip: DIY household solutions, such as combinations of baking soda, water, and vinegar can be effective, too.

Monitor Drains Regularly

Do not wait for an emergency before you call a plumber-it is better to deal with drain problems early on. Some signs that your drain is in trouble can include bubbling in your toilet, or water backing up. Bad odour and slow water flow are also telling signs of a drain issue. When you see these: call a plumber.

Keep an Eye on Water Quality

Hard water has high mineral content which can solidify and cause build-ups. You can test this by mixing water with soap. Calcium will destroy the suds, so if bubbles don't form so easily, it means that the water may be hard. Make sure you inform the plumber when this is the case.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping address drain issues. As you can see, there are a multitude of potential causes for your blocked drains. Luckily, they aren't that difficult to deal with as long as you know what you're doing. If the problem still persists, we recommend that you call in a professional.

At Millennial Plumbing & Tankless, we know what a difference experienced, professional plumbing services can make. That's why we offer "new-era plumbing with old-fashioned service." If you're looking for a plumber in Dacula, we're here to help. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation!