How to Avoid Blocked Drains

A Comprehensive Guide to Avoid Blocked Drains

Blocked drains are the nemesis of smooth plumbing, causing not only inconvenience but potentially significant damage. At Tropical Coast Plumbing, we understand the frustration they bring. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide some proactive measures to keep your drains free-flowing and your plumbing in top-notch condition.

Understanding the Cause of Blocked Drains

Blocked drains often stem from a range of common causes like hair, soap scum, grease, and foreign objects. Understanding the cause is the first and most important step in learning how to prevent blockages.

The cause is often different depending on the room in which the blockage starts:

• In the kitchen: grease and food scraps are the biggest contributors to sink blockages.
• In the bathroom: hair and soap scum accumulate in the shower and the bathtub drains over time and causes a blockage.
• In the laundry: depending on how you use your laundry tup and what you clean in it, a blockage can be caused by any number of things, including dust particles, hair, clothing fibres, and soap scum.
• In stormwater and sewage: Crushed or broken pipes, foreign objects and tree roots are the most common causes for drains to back up or become blocked.

Doing your best to keep these objects out of your drains and pipes is the best defense against blocked drains.

Protective Measures in the Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of our home yet is one of the most common places where drain issues can start. Adopting preventive habits can save you from the hassle of blocked drains. Install a sink strainer to catch food particles to dispose of separately and dispose of grease in a separate container instead of letting it wash down the drain. Regularly flushing your drains with hot water can also help to melt any residual grease buildup, keeping the pipes clear.

Safeguarding Your Bathroom Drains

The bathroom is another hotspot for blocked drains, but simple practices can make a significant difference. Invest in hair catchers for shower and bathtub drains to prevent hair from washing down your drains and building up in the pipes.

It’s also important to teach family members and visitors to avoid flushing items like wipes or sanitary products down the toilet as this can lead to serious blockages. It also helps to keep a bin beside the toilet to encourage proper disposal of non-flushable items.

Also, like in the kitchen, regularly running hot water down your drains when cleaning the bathroom can help to dissolve soap scum and prevent its accumulation in the pipes.

Keeping Laundry Drains Clog-Free

Our laundry tubs often get used for more than just rinsing clothes. As they are often the largest sink in the house, many of us use them for cleaning out mops and buckets as well as cleaning other household items. Due to this, all kinds of debris can be pushed down the drain and cause a clog.

To avoid blockages in the laundry tub it is best to clean dirty mop heads in a bucket and then tip the dirty water out in the garden or lawn rather than down the sink. It also helps to shake out clothes, towels or sheets that may be full of hair, sand or dirt before putting them in the washing machine.

Sink strainers can also help to stop any other particles or debris from washing down your drain and accumulating into a large blockage.

Outdoor Drain Maintenance

Outdoor drains are often overlooked, yet they play a crucial role in preventing water buildup around your property. To maintain your drains it’s important to regularly clear debris like leaves and dirt from your gutters and stormwater drains.

You can also install drain grates or gutter guards to prevent larger debris from entering the drainage system and blocking it. Be mindful when landscaping and attempt to avoid plants with invasive root systems as they can damage your pipes and clog them.

Importance of Regular Plumbing Maintenance

Prevention is undoubtedly the best cure when it comes to blocked drains. Enlist the services of a professional plumbing team for regular plumbing maintenance. Scheduled inspections and cleaning can identify potential issues before they escalate, saving you from the inconvenience and cost of a major blockage.

DIY Solutions for Minor Issues

Plungers and drain snakes are also handy tools for dislodging or removing minor blockages. However, exercise caution and avoid using chemical drain cleaners, as they can cause damage to your pipes and pose environmental risks.

Investing in Quality Plumbing Fixtures

Additionally, ensure that your plumbing system is appropriately sized for your household's needs, reducing the strain on pipes and further minimising the risk of blockages.

Plumbing Education

A shared understanding of good plumbing practices among household members is crucial. Educate everyone about what should and shouldn't go down the drain. Simple measures like disposing of cooking oils responsibly and using hair catchers in the shower can collectively contribute to a blockage-free plumbing system. Also, properly disposing of sanitary products in a bin is essential.

It is also important to know that despite the labelling and advertisement, “flushable” or wet wipes should never be flushed; they take a long time to break down and can accumulate over time into a major blockage.

Protect Your Drains From Blockages

By adopting a proactive approach and incorporating these tips into your household routine, you can significantly reduce the risk of blocked drains. Remember, prevention is the best cure!

Regular plumbing maintenance by professionals is an investment in the longevity of your plumbing system. Together, let's unlock the flow and ensure a smooth plumbing experience for your family.