4 Top Plumbers' Tips to Prevent Blocked Drains

3 January 2022
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Blocked drains are not only unpleasant to deal with but they can also cost a lot to fix if you let them get really backed up. By following these tips, you can prevent drain blockages and keep your wastewater pipes flowing freely.

1. Use Drain Covers

One of the most straightforward ways to prevent blocked drains is to place removable grilles, known as drain covers, over the drains in your sinks, basins and shower stalls. These covers catch objects that would otherwise fall into the plughole, preventing them from contributing to clogs. They are particularly valuable in households where people have long hair, as hair naturally falls out during a shower and can be a major factor in drain blockages. You will need to remove the drain covers and clear out the hair and other items that have become caught in them every so often, but this simple step is much quicker and easier than dealing with a blocked drain.

2. Be Careful in the Kitchen

Most forms of cooking involve some kind of fat, whether you are sauteing vegetables or roasting a joint of meat. While oil and butter are delicious, they can cause problems if they get into your drains. The low temperatures inside most home plumbing systems cause fat to congeal, leading to a clog. To prevent mini fatbergs from developing in your pipes, you should take care to pour off excess cooking fat and throw it out, rather than pouring it down the drain. You should also run hot water into your drain for a little while after you wash dishes to sweep any traces of fat through the pipes before they have a chance to solidify.

3. Avoid Flushing Objects

Plumbers recommend that you avoid flushing anything but the three Ps — pee, poop and toilet paper — down the toilet. Sanitary products, wet wipes and all other items should be bagged up and thrown out with household waste. Even if an item appears to flush away without a problem, it can cause a blockage in the main sewer line, which can lead to your home's drains backing up. In severe cases, a blockage caused by a flushed item can lead to sewage bubbling up through your drains, which is obviously a health hazard.

4. Use a Drain Cleaning Service

Regular professional drain cleaning is the best way to prevent blocked drains. A plumber can use tools to clear slow-draining drains long before they become fully blocked, which could mean that you save money on the cost of repair.

Contact a local plumber if you notice your home has blocked drains.