When drains don’t work as they should, it can be a major inconvenience. Understanding why they become blocked can help you prevent future problems.

Always be aware of what you wash down your drains and sewer lines. Many items can cause blockages and are not meant to be flushed down the toilet such as sanitary products, cotton balls, wet wipes, food scraps, and even children’s toys.

Toilet Paper

Toilet paper is designed to be flushed, but if you use too much or aren’t careful when wiping, it can build up and cause a clog. Toilet tissue that is thicker than normal also causes problems, especially in older plumbing systems and with septic systems.

Products that aren’t meant to be flushed, including ear swabs, baby wipes and paper towels, are also common causes of toilet clogs. Make sure to keep a wastebasket in your bathroom so these non-flushable items can easily be disposed of.

Toilets are for human waste and toilet paper only – other materials need to go in the trash. This is one of the easiest ways to prevent clogged toilets and a costly call for plumbing services. You can also try using a double-flush system.

Hair

Hair strands are often the culprit behind blocked drains, particularly in showers and bathrooms. They can easily get trapped with soap, shampoo and oil residue that has been washed down the drain, leading to nasty clumps that will block water flow.

To help prevent hair clogs, brush your hair before you hop into the shower and try to pick up any clumps that fall onto the floor while bathing. You can also use a simple drain cover that is designed to stay in the drain and trap any hair, making it easy to remove if needed.

If you find yourself dealing with a stubborn hair clog, call your local plumber. They have the equipment and expertise to ensure a clog is fully cleared. They can also install safeguards to prevent it from happening again in the future.

Grease

Grease, fats, and oils can stick to the inside of drain pipes, forming a sticky substance that blocks water flow. Fortunately, this is an easy problem to prevent by avoiding sending these materials down the drain.

Instead, pour grease into containers and throw it away in a garbage can. In addition, use strainers to catch any food particles that may fall down the drain and routinely flush your kitchen sink and bathroom drains with hot water and a grease-cutting detergent to keep fats from building up in your pipes. If left unaddressed, a grease blockage can lead to severe drain problems and costly pipe repair. Foul odors will also start to emanate from the affected drains. This is a clear sign that it’s time to call in the professionals.

Sanitary Items

Whether it’s caused by a foreign object or a heavy build-up of waste, clogged drains are always a nuisance. But a little knowledge can help you guard against them, and be able to identify issues like slow drainage or low water pressure more easily.

For example, children often flush things such as toys or wet wipes down the toilet, which then block the drains. Similarly, food scraps such as coffee grounds don’t belong in your plumbing system and can clog drain pipes over time.

The pitch of your sewer and drain pipes can also be a cause of clogged drains. If you notice that your house’s drains don’t empty as quickly as usual, check the cleanout next to your property. If it has water, it may be a city sewer line backup rather than your own home’s drains.

Tree Roots

Often overlooked, tree roots are the leading cause of clogged sewer pipes that cause sewage backup into homes. Although trees serve many purposes, such as absorbing and transporting moisture, reducing soil erosion, sequestering carbon and providing wildlife habitat, their root systems can infiltrate and damage plumbing lines.

Roots can invade and obstruct drains, sewer lines and foundations. Regular inspections of your property can help identify and address any invasive roots early, before they cause extensive damage that requires costly repairs.

To keep your drains running smoothly, try using a natural cleaner such as baking soda and vinegar. Boiling water and dishwashing liquid can also disperse minor oil residue and clogs. Lastly, keeping hair out of the sink and shower will minimize the need for drain cleaning. If you need a plumber in Melbourne to help unclog drains, go online and find a reputable plumbing company to help.