Important Things To Know About Blocked Drainage
Blocked drains are recurring problems for homeowners and cause substantial damage to your home. You need to call a plumber to clean blocked drains and you can also check your drainage system to identify the potential issue.
Here are some important things to know about blocked drainage.
Identifying Signs of Blocked Drains
Smell
stinky and foul smell are indicators the drainage pipes are clogged or on the verge of getting blocked. You cannot stay in an unclean atmosphere. When this happens, you should call a plumber to clean your drains.
Overflow
An overflowing toilet or sink is an immediate sign of blocked drains and can cause extensive damage to your property. Your building’s foundation can get affected by such leakages and fixing it should be a top priority.
Gurgling Sound
Odd gurgles or strange sounds coming from pipes are a sign of a blockage in the drains. As water tries to flow through the drainage, it will indicate trapped air in the pipelines.
Slow To Drain
If the water forms a pool in the toilet bowl or sink and slowly runs down the pipes, the blockage is located down the main sewer drain.
Understanding Causes of Blocked Drains
Tree Roots
During long dry spells, the plants try to find the nearest water source, causing them to break into hairline cracks in the pipes and grow into the pipes. Be aware of this while planning a garden, and avoid planting some trees on the ground where your drainage line is situated.
Toiletries
According to the Sydney water reports, 75% of sewer blockages involve wet wipes, sanitary products, and the excess amount of paper towels being flushed down the toilet, causing a severe blockage. You should use a dustbin in your bathroom to store such waste.
Foreign Objects
There’re always chances of unusual items falling into toilet which causes blockages.
Cooking Oil And Food Scraps
Many people tend to throw food scraps, cooking oil, or greasy, fatty stuff down the sink. Under no circumstances should this be done as oily fatty stuff are vicious and get to the walls of the pipes and drains, causing a blockage.
Soap And Hair
Cover the drain holes in the bathtub, sink, and floors with a mesh wire guard as it does not allow hair and soap to go down the drain and cause blockage.
How To Clear Blocked Drainage
Boiling Water
Pour hot water in your drain to clean the grease and oil from your drainage lines for a quick fix. Make sure you use this method only on the metal or ceramic pipes as the hot water loses the joints of PVC pipes.
Plunger
A plunger can be effective in cleaning blocked drains. Be sure to cover any overflowing sprouts before you begin plunging. The up and down pressure created by the plunger can help loosen any blockages so your pipes can flow smoothly.
DIY Natural Cleaner
You can create a natural cleaner for cleaning blocked drains. Put some baking soda in the drain followed by vinegar and cover the drain to prevent the mixture from bubbling. The chemical reaction between the vinegar and soda creates oxygen that scours the insides of the pipes and clears them out.
Caustic Cleaners
You can purchase caustic drain cleaner at any local hardware store or supermarket. These chemicals are capable of dissolving grease, hair, and food. However, they are harmful to the environment and should be used sparingly.
Finally, these are important things every homeowner should know about blocked drainage. Here are some mistakes to avoid with drain cleaning. Larger drains such as stormwater or sewer drain blockages require help from licensed plumbers as they have the best equipment to clean your drains.
as a woman who doesn’t know anything about home-care issues, I found this article informative.
Thanks to the writer
Hi Grace,
Thank you for your comment. Like you, I found this post informative too.
Rae.
I agree that blocked drains are recurring problems and cause substantial damage. That’s why it’s important to check the basic signs such as tacky smell, overflow, that gurgling sound when you notice blocked drains. Not only that but checking the basic causes of blocking is also important. Sometimes it happens due to hairs and can be easily solved, but if it’s caused by tree roots then it cannot be avoided. I like your blog and the information it contains should know every homeowner. Keep posting!!
Hi Jack,
Thank you for your comment and for stating the signs to check for blocked drains.
Rae.
Totally agree with the statement that blocked drains are recurring problems for homeowners and cause substantial damage to your home, but with enough care and regular cleaning, it can be avoided. The methods in this article are really helpful for cleaning drainage.