If you notice a gurgling sound from your toilet or bathroom, see your kitchen sink draining more slowly or notice an unpleasant odor from the Drains, the chances are your drain is blocked. Whether outside or inside your house, a blocked drain may cause a lot of inconvenience if not dealt with sooner rather than later.

In addition to those noises and smells, you may see polluted water running from the drains or even in your home. There are many factors that can block your drains. Here are the five most common reasons for blocked drains.

Trees and Leaves

Make sure you sweep away all leaves and debris surrounding your property often, especially in the autumn months, to minimise the chance of blocking drains. If a lot of wet leaves collect in the drains, they can quickly result in a significant blockage. Tree roots can also be a cause of blocked or damaged drains.

Grease and Fat

If any liquids containing grease or fat are poured down the drain, the fat will stick to the interior wall of the Drainage pipe, causing a build-up over time. Eventually the pipe will be completely blocked, obstructing the flow of water through it. If it becomes apparent that your drain is blocked, you will need the help of a professional drain unblocking company. However if you are careful about what you flush down your drains, will reduce the chances of blocking the drains in your home.

Hair

A single hair strand can’t block your drain, but a large amount of hair can. If you aren’t clearing your bathroom drains regularly, hair and soap scrum can create a build-up inside the drain, blocking the flow of water over time. At first you may notice the water draining away more slowly, eventually getting worse. This could potentially cause a complete blockage if the problem is not addressed. Open the cover of your shower drain and you may well see a hair blockage inside the drainage pipe. Clean this away regularly.

Structural Issues or Installation Errors

The installation of a drainage system should always be undertaken by a reputable company. Low-quality pipe material, misaligned joints and incorrect installation of drainage pipe are some common examples of poor workmanship which can lead to blocked drain. Professional drainage companies like ours use advanced CCTV systems to thoroughly check the structural condition of the drainage line, helping us choose the most effective drainage repair solution for the problem.

Storms and Heavy Rains

When there is heavy rainfall , flooding may ocurr and drains will be subjected to large amounts of water which can cause drainage problems, particularly when drains haven’t been cleared out. Debris, leaves and litter will cause further blockages or damage to the drain. It makes sense to keep your drains clean whatever the time of year but especially when there is a lot of rain.

To summarise, matter such as hair, food waste, soap scum, and some sanitary wear are some of the most common reasons for drains to become blocked. Are you concerned that you have a blocked drain? We are here to help. Give us a call today.

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