Common reasons for blocked drains

Some things can cause a lot of inconvenience such as the inability to use your plumbing system and water at home. Even if there is water in your home, the plumbing system may not be functioning as required. There is no need to be inconvenienced or call experts for emergency repairs. Ensure your piping is clear and free of dirt, stones, and vegetation. Failure to do so means that you will contend with expensive and time-consuming repairs. In this post, you will learn about the common reasons for having blocked drains and the way you can avoid them.

Causes of blocked drains

Vegetation growth

Although not very common, this may lead to some extensive and expensive repairs, which you will need to deal with. Usually, the piping systems installed in residential buildings were done several years ago. Thus, unforeseen and new blockages can occur because of the root systems from vegetation growth and trees. Tree roots can put a lot of pressure on the plumbing lines and cause them to leak, break, bend, or get blocked. This is likely to cause an emergency situation. Unfortunately, these repairs require digging, re-sodding of lawns, and expensive machinery.

Foreign objects

If the tub or sink is draining perfectly and does not appear to be clogged, you are likely to deal with objects stuck inside your pipes. This is likely to occur when objects are left by a sink, which does not have a screen or drain filter. Even if the pipes may not be completely blocked, it is likely to accumulate debris that leads to clogged pipes.

Grease

If you notice a clog in the kitchen sink, it may be as a result of build up of oils. In fact, several forms of lard and grease can clog up the drains quite quickly. You should never throw the excess cooking grease or oil down the drain. Liquefied grease can get down the drain but will later solidify. Moreover, in the process, it will get hold of a few debris and food particles. Over time, this can be a very difficult and strong clog, which is likely to damage the pipes.

Hair

If there are clogs in the bathroom, then it is likely to be caused by build up of hair. For instance, long strands can get tangled and thereby create large balls of hair that work as a net. It then starts to trap smaller hair and debris. In this case, it is advisable to use a strainer in all sinks and bathroom tubs.