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Your daily habits might be secretly damaging your drains. A recent study by the National Association of Drainage Contractors found that 83.1% of drain blockages stem from how we use our plumbing – not from system faults or aging pipes. Yes, you read that right. The way you dispose of everyday items could be setting you up for a plumbing nightmare.
This guide will show you the hidden causes of blocked drains and give you practical steps to keep your pipes flowing freely. Ready to stop problems before they start?
In Your Kitchen Drains
That bacon grease you poured down the sink? It’s joining forces with other fats underground to form ‘fatbergs’ – solid masses that can block entire sewage systems. Once these fats cool and solidify, they trap other debris and create stubborn blockages.
Food waste is also a common culprit. Your morning coffee routine might also be causing trouble. Those coffee grounds you rinse away don’t break down. Instead, they clump together, catching other debris until water barely trickles through. And those pasta and rice leftovers? They swell up in your pipes, creating sticky obstacles that trap everything else.
In Your Bathroom
Hair is your shower drain’s worst enemy. A few strands might seem harmless, but they quickly tangle with soap scum to form tough clogs.
Your favourite bath products add to the problem – mineral deposits from soap and shampoo build up over time, narrowing your pipes bit by bit.
In Your Toilet
Those wipes marked ‘flushable’? They’re not telling the whole truth. Unlike toilet paper, they don’t break down quickly enough in water.
The same goes for cotton buds and dental floss – these small items catch on pipe joints, creating nets that trap everything else trying to pass through.
Around Your Home
Your garden might be secretly sabotaging your drains. Fallen leaves and soil wash into outdoor drains, creating dense blockages during rainy seasons. Meanwhile, tree roots naturally seek out water, often finding tiny cracks in pipes and growing until they cause serious damage.
Watch out for these warning signs in your home. Got a slow draining sink taking after washing up? It’s telling you something’s wrong. When water backs up in your shower while you’re standing in it, that’s not normal either.
Strange gurgling noises from your pipes are trapped air bubbles trying to escape through water-filled pipes.
Got a mystery smell that won’t go away? Your nose knows best. Bad odours from drains mean trapped debris is decomposing in your pipes. And if you spot water pooling around floor drains or overflowing from toilets, you’ve got an emergency on your hands.
Simple Fixes You Can Try Now
Start simple: Pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain. This often shifts minor grease blockages and soap build-up. But be careful – boiling water can crack porcelain if poured directly.
For stubborn clogs, try this home remedy: Pour 100g of baking soda down the drain, followed by 100ml of white vinegar. Cover the drain and wait 15 minutes. Flush with hot water. The fizzing action helps break down blockages.
Plungers come in different shapes for a reason. Cup-shaped ones work best for sinks and showers, while toilet plungers have an extra flange for better sealing. Want better results? Fill the sink with a few inches of water first – it helps create stronger suction.
Drain snakes can tackle deeper clogs. Manual ones work well for simple blockages, while motorised versions tackle tougher jobs.
Chemical cleaners might seem like an easy fix, but they come with risks. They can damage old pipes and create harmful fumes. If you use them, open windows and never mix different products.
When to Call the Pros
Some signs mean it’s time to get help:
- Your drain keeps blocking despite your best efforts
- Multiple drains are clogged at once
- Water’s backing up into other fixtures
- You hear water running in pipes when nothing’s turned on
Our drainage specialists bring years of expertise in drain cleaning, blockage removal, and complete drainage solutions. We clear blocked pipes, toilets, and showers fast. For bigger issues, we handle full drain repairs and new installations, backed by detailed CCTV surveys. Every job comes with our 12-month guarantee on labour.
Need a customized quote? Visit Get Quote, fill out our form and we’ll get back to you.
Stop drain problems before they start with these proven maintenance steps:
- Kitchen Care. Keep a container for used cooking oil and fats – bin them when cool. Add a £5 sink strainer to catch food bits. Run hot water for 30 seconds after washing up.
- Bathroom Protection Install hair catchers in showers and sinks. Only flush toilet paper and human waste. Use enzyme-based drain cleaner monthly.
- Outdoor Maintenance. Check gutters twice yearly – more near trees. Add guards to outdoor drains. Watch for tree roots near pipes.
- Regular Checks. Book a CCTV survey (£90-175) to spot early problems. Consider a maintenance contract for routine care.
- Professional Support. Annual inspections catch issues before they grow. Keep service records. Quick action saves money.
- Temperature Control. Run cold water when using the waste disposal. Use hot water to flush drains weekly.
- Smart Habits. Clear drain covers weekly. Pour kettles of hot water down sinks monthly. Wipe greasy pans before washing.
- Early Action. Address slow drains immediately. Listen for gurgling sounds. Check for bad smells.
- Seasonal Care. Clear leaves in autumn. Check outdoor drains before heavy rain. Inspect gutters in spring.
- Documentation. Track drain problems and fixes. Keep maintenance receipts. Note inspection dates.
For Tenants and Landlords
As a tenant, you’re responsible for keeping drains clear through proper use. That means no dumping oil or flushing wet wipes. But structural problems? That’s your landlord’s territory. Get everything in writing to avoid disputes.
Running a Business?
Restaurants and cafes need grease traps – it’s often a legal requirement. Schedule regular cleaning and keep disposal records. Your local water authority might check.
Hotels and high-traffic buildings need more frequent maintenance. Consider quarterly drain surveys and professional cleaning to stay ahead of problems.
Small changes in your daily habits can save you from big drainage headaches. Keep fat out of your sink, catch hair before it goes down the drain, and bin those ‘flushable’ wipes. These simple steps help you dodge most common blockages.
Spotted the warning signs we talked about? Take action early. A small problem fixed today stops a flooding disaster tomorrow. And when in doubt, call a professional – it’s cheaper than replacing damaged pipes.
Looking after your drains isn’t complicated, but it does need attention. What will you do differently after reading this?