5 Causes of Blocked Drains and How to Prevent Them

After a nice, refreshing shower you turn the taps off and wait for the water to drain…but it doesn’t! It just sits there, slowing draining, or worse still, not draining at all. The cause? Blocked drains.

There are many different causes of blocked drains that affect households all over the Gold Coast. If you are struggling with slow draining toilets, floor drains, sinks, baths or showers, keep reading as we reveal the top 5 causes of blocked drains.

Plants and Tree Roots

Waste pipes and drains provide an ongoing source of water to support the growth of trees and plants. As a result, tree roots often find their way into pipe systems, cracking pipes and causing blocked drains. To make matters worse, leaf litter and plant debris can also find its way down outdoor drains and into your pipes, adding to blockages.

Hair

A build up body hair and body oils can build up in your drains. If you don’t properly maintain your pipes, this excess hair prevents water from passing freely, causing slow draining water and eventually overflowing drains.

Grease and Fat

Many people pour leftover oil and fat from cooking down their kitchen sink. While you may think it will drain away like water, fat and oil actually sticks to the inside of pipes, building up overtime and causing significant blockages.

Toiletries

While toilet paper is designed to be flushed down the loo, little else is. Many people have got into the habit of disposing toiletries down the drain. Nappies, baby wipes and sanitary items are commonly flushed down the toilet. These items absorb large amounts of water and expand and can easily block drains.

Foreign Objects

You’d be surprised at what people flush down their toilets or dump down their sinks. From children’s toys, to food waste, you name it, a plumber has found it in someone’s drains. Whether it’s intentional or not, if too many of these items end up down your drains they will block up fast.

Got blocked drains? You need Charlie the Plumber

If you’re looking for an experienced plumber on the Gold Coast, contact Charlie the Plumber today. Whether you suspect a build up of hair or a few too many flushed baby wipes, the team at Charlie the Plumber have seen it all!