Don't Allow Those Uninvited Usual Suspects into Your Drains

The drain pipes in your home are like your body that develops some health problems despite eating healthy meals every day. Although you always observe the regular maintenance practices your plumber gave you when installing the drainage pipes, you will sometimes have some drain problems to handle. That's why you should always have reliable contacts of a professional plumber in your phone book. A blocked drain can ruin your day and erode your happiness and peace in a big way. Preventing blocked drains is more effective if you first understand what causes the blockage. If you often experience blocked drains, here are the culprits that contribute to the problem:

Tree Roots

Tree roots often grow toward moist places. Leaky pipes and blocked drains provide the moisture the tree roots need to spread. This causes some tree roots to grow inside the drains and pipes, causing some serious blockages. Cutting the roots growing in the drainage pipes will only solve the problem for a few days. The roots will then grow back and block your drains again. You will spend a lot of money on such a recurring problem and that's why you need a permanent solution. Contacting an experienced plumber to re-line your drains is the lasting solution you need if you want to prevent root ingress and keep the drainage pipes watertight and leak-free for a longer time.

Fatty and Greasy Substances

All the grease and fats poured down the drain doesn't end in the sewer. Some of them stick to the sides of the pipes. When substances such as hair and dirt get to the drain pipes, they get stuck to the fats and grease in the pipes. They form giant fat lumps or "fatbergs" that eventually block your drains. Don't put the roasting tins or frying pans into the dishwasher or sink before you have scrapped them well. This way, grease and fat don't get into your drain pipes, and this prevents drain blockage.

Toilet Waste

Cotton balls, soap bits and toilet paper are some of the items or toilet wastes that easily block your drain pipes. These items get stuck in the drainage pipes, and that's how the problem begins. Avoid flushing any of these wastes or any other garbage in the toilet. Place a trash bin somewhere in the bathroom where such toilet wastes would be put. Blocked drains wouldn't irritate you often if you responsibly disposed of your toilet wastes.

Other things such as soap, coffee, children's toys, bath salts, baby wipes, food scraps and hair will also cause blocked drains in your home. Call in a plumber to unblock your drains before they cause serious water damage in your home. Slow-emptying sinks and baths indicate you have a blocked drain to fix. Professional plumbers use high-pressure water jets to blast through the blocked drains and unblock even the toughest blockages.