Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing issues home owners face. They’re a real pain and can lead to much bigger problems if not dealt with quickly. Plumbing in Melbourne can be tricky and even harder with blocked drains.

From foreign objects accidentally dropped to a build-up of hair, grease and gunk – there are a number of different reasons your drains get blocked. Understanding these can help you prevent them in the future.

Food Waste

Food waste puts more pressure on your pipes than the average person’s natural waste, and can cause the buildup of foul-smelling bacteria. It can also lead to a blockage in your kitchen drains or sewer system.

When poured down drains or garbage disposals, fats, oils and grease (FOG) quickly solidify and coat the interior of pipes. It can then cause a clog and may even reach your home’s sewer lines, leading to sewage backups.

Stringy foods like celery and corn husks can tangle as they wash through your sink, and can catch other food scraps to create a mass. It’s best to throw these into your compost or trash can. Potato peels are another food that shouldn’t be rinsed down a drain. They contain a starch that is hard on pipes and can clog them.

Grease

When fat, oil and grease are poured down the drain they solidify on the surface of the pipe and can block water flow. If this is a problem in your home, try using soda crystals or boiling hot water to clear the drain.

Hair is another common cause of blocked drains. From your wife washing her hair to you shaving or your dog having a bath, it can easily clog up shower and tub drains. Try installing a drain guard in the shower and using a hair trap in your sinks.

If you are not confident in tackling your clogged drain yourself, call a professional plumber. They are trained to safely and effectively remove blocked drains. A quick call now can save you money and stress in the future.

Hair

Hair is a common cause of blocked drains, especially in showers and bathtubs. It’s normal to shed up to 100 hairs a day, and many of them wash down your drain with soap residue, hair product, dirt and other debris. Over time, these can build up and create a blockage.

Another sign of a blockage is an unpleasant smell coming from your sink, shower or toilet. This is caused by food, hair and other debris that has collected in the pipes and is starting to decompose. The longer the blockage is left, the worse the smell will get.

If you notice a strange smell, try sticking a metal coat hanger down the drain to fish out any hair or other gunk that may be stuck. Be careful not to push the clog further into the pipe though!

Toilet Paper

Toilet paper easily dissolves in water and is designed to pass through drain lines and septic systems without creating blockages. However, excessive use can lead to a build-up and blockage.

Other household waste, like baby wipes, cotton swabs and feminine hygiene products can also create clogged drains. Never flush anything other than toilet paper, liquid waste and garbage.

Kitchen drains can get blocked by food scraps like potato peels and eggshells as well as coffee grounds and tea bags. Using a sink strainer and disposing of food waste properly can help to prevent this issue. Tree roots can infiltrate sewer pipes and septic systems, restricting flow and blocking drains. Regular root trimming can help to prevent this problem. The sewage system can back up into home drains and bathrooms when this happens.

Baby Wipes

Wet wipes are a significant cause of blockages. These non-biodegradable plastic fibers are designed to be strong, and when flushed they can cause major drain and sewer blockages. Even wipes labeled “flushable” are not safe to flush as they can clog pipes and may make their way into the environment, polluting rivers, lakes and oceans.

Wipes should be disposed of in the rubbish bin, not flushed down the toilet. The same goes for disinfectant wipes, tissue, paper towels and feminine hygiene products – all of which belong in the garbage bin rather than the toilet. These items contribute to the build up of fatbergs that can affect entire communities and lead to plumbing problems in homes. This could cost you thousands in repairs and sewage back ups.