Common problem of Blocked Drains… and their Solutions!

One of the most common inconveniences that homeowners can face is having a blocked drain. What can start off as a minor nuisance can quickly escalate into a major issue and even a plumbing emergency if you are not careful. If not addressed correctly, blocked drains in Liverpool can become a stressful and expensive issue to fix, but there are ways that you can keep your drains happy and healthy for longer.

What are the main causes of blocked drains?

Have you ever really thought about how integral the drainage system is to your home? It is one of the most used systems daily – with showers, washing machines, taps, dish washers and outdoor drainage all being used day in, day out. It is no surprise that blocked drains in Liverpool are a very common problem, and one that every homeowner will face at some point. However, if you know what the top culprits of blocked drains are, it can help you to be more wary and careful of what you put into your pipes.

Grease and Oil

This is definitely the top contender for the most common form of blockage in your drains. Grease and oil are known for their fatty substances, and anything you put down your plug hole will stick to the sides of your pipes and begin to form small clogs. Slowly and gradually a thick layer of sticky, tacky and fatty substances will cover the inside of your pipes and end up catching other larger food particles. This can end up restricting your flow of water and cause an issue before you even realise there is a problem.

Hair

Any time you take a shower, the hair that falls off your body has to go somewhere, and that is usually down the plug hole. Whilst you might not think that those small pieces of hair can do much damage, it can bind with soap and other general grime to form clogs inside your drains. The more you shower, the larger these clogs can form and slowly restrict the flow of water until it clogs your pipes completely

Tissues and Wet Wipes

Baby wipes and toilet paper are two of the most common items that will clog your toilet, and as a drain company in Liverpool we often see a lot of these issues. Although toilet paper is designed to be flushed down the toilet, it is also designed to absorb water. If you use too much paper, then it can easily stick together in your pipes and expand until it forms a large clog. Baby or make up wipes are also another common culprit. Whilst you might not think that flushing one baby wipe down the toilet will make a huge difference, if everyone in your house flushed just one a week you are looking at a large clog that can be difficult to remove.

Trees and Leaves

If you have any form of back garden, then the chances are you will end up with leaves over the winter period. If these leaves are not cleaned regularly, then during bad weather they can end up causing major obstructions in your outside pipes. Tree roots are also a problem as they are drawn naturally to the nearest source of water, and unbeknown to you, they can end up cracking or even pushing through pipes and causing major damage that means you need to call an emergency drain company in Liverpool to come and tackle the problem.

How to Spot a Blocked Drain

If you know how to spot a drain that is becoming clogged, it is a much simpler fix than when one is leaking or has burst causing a flood in your home. Here are the main signs to look out for:

• Unpleasant smells – If you have food particles or waste becoming stuck inside your pipes you will notice a lingering and nasty odour either inside or outside your home.
• Slow drainage – if you notice that your sink or bath starts to drain slower than normal, then this is usually a sign that a clog is forming and restricting your water flow.
• Low water pressure – if your taps or shower start to have a lower water pressure than normal then there will be a clog forming somewhere in your pipe system.
• Noisy drains – a common sign of a blocked drain is hearing gurgling in your pipes. This is due to water being forced around the clog and hitting the side of the pipes
• Rising water levels – if you suddenly find that you are standing in a puddle in your shower, or your toilet water starts to rise when you flush instead of going down, this usually indicates a large clog in your system. The water cannot get around the blockage quick enough and so forces itself out in the wrong direction

Quick Home Remedies to Clear Blocked Drains

Of course, not all blocked drains require emergency visits from one of the top drain companies in Liverpool. There are several home remedies you can try and clear your pipes to get the water flowing freely again:

1. Boiling water – as most clogged drains are made up of organic matter like hair, grease, and food, sometimes a simple remedy will work. All you need to do is boil your kettle and pour down your drains. You can do this a couple of times to clear the pathway, and more often than not this will have your water running freely again
2. Kitchen ingredients – if you need something that packs a bit more of a punch, try using these two kitchen ingredients. Simply pour baking soda down your plug hole followed by vinegar. You will immediately hear a fixing noise caused by the chemical reaction, and you need to leave this untouched for as long as you can (overnight is better!) Once you are ready, you need to pour boiling water down your sink to flush away anything that is left over.
3. Plunger – this tried and tested method really has stood the test of time, and there is a reason that nearly every household has a plunger in their cleaning cupboard. In order to try and dislodge more stubborn blockages, all you need to do is put the plunger over the plug hole and create a seal. Then you need to use sharp movements up and down. You can follow this with either baking soda and vinegar or boiling water once the clog has been dislodged from the side of the pipes

1. Coat hanger – if you don’t have a plunger in your house then a wire coat hanger also works well to dislodge more difficult clogs! Simply straighten the wire coat hanger and create a little hook in the end and fish around your pipes for the obstruction to see if you can wiggle it free from the sides of your drains.

These are some examples of minor problems that you can help using quick and easy home remedies. If you think that you might need professional help, then call us for quick and friendly help and advice. As one of the top drain companies in Liverpool, we want to make sure that you get the quickest and most convenient solutions. Don’t hesitate and let something small turn into a major issue – call us today for more information.