How To Prevent A Blocked Drain – What Experts Say

Blocked drains are one of the most common problems to encounter when you are a homeowner, and there is nothing more frustrating than noticing those tell-tale signs. Slow draining water, funny smells coming from your drains and noisy pipes all indicate that you could need the help of a blocked drain company.

Luckily, there are some ways that you can help to prevent these small but annoying clogs and blockages, and all you need to do is make a few small changes to your daily life to keep on top of it. A few changes can go a long way when it comes to the lifespan of your household pipes, and it can stop an annoying block becoming something more serious (and costly!)

We’re going to take a look at some ways that you avoid calling an emergency blocked drain company

Hair

One of the biggest culprits for bathroom showers and sinks is hair. You won’t even realise that you lose so much hair when you are showering, and the longer your hair the more you will lose. It won’t take long to get mixed with all the soap and gunk that travels down your pipes, and these clogs may start out small but will get bigger over time. One of the best ways to avoid hair becoming a nuisance in your pipes is to invest in a plug guard or catcher. They do not cost a lot of money, but they can save you a lot in the long run. The hair will be trapped in the plug cover which will prevent it from going into your pipes. All you need to do is regularly clean the catcher and put the hair in the bin. It really is that easy!

Grease and Fat

Grease and fat are some of the worst things to pour down your kitchen sink but is something that we all do without even thinking about it. This is a sure-fire way of causing a clog in your kitchen, and it is one that can be tricky to get rid of once you have started. Whilst your sink can manage most other liquids being poured down the drain, grease and fat will quickly cool and solidify against the inside of your pipes that will create a solid clog. Over time, more grease and fat will build up, and this will attract other pieces of food and waste to stick and create a huge, stubborn blockage. You are better to pour any waste grease and fat into a separate container and throw in the bin.

Only toilet paper…

It should go without saying that you should only flush toilet paper down your toilet, but it is more common than you think for people to flush other items down as well. Many people believe that the pipe that connects your toilet is a lot larger, and whilst it might be slightly bigger, it still cannot handle huge amounts. It may be tempting to flush baby wipes, make up wipes and sanitary products down your toilet, but these do not break down in the same way that toilet paper does and can end up causing a big issue further down the line. The best thing to do is to throw these items away separately, otherwise you could end up with an overflowing toilet – which no one wants.

Paint

You may be surprised, but as a blocked drain company we get call outs to a lot of blockages that are caused by paint. Many people assume that it is safe to pour paint down the sink once you have finished decorating, but this could end up being the cause of your blocked drains. Paint was not designed to be flushed through pipes and it contains a lot of harmful chemicals that could end up doing hidden damage to the inside of your drains. The best way to get rid of paint is to seal it in the tin and dispose of it with the rest of your household waste.

Tips and Tricks

In order to avoid an emergency call to a blocked drain company, here are some tips and tricks that you can follow to keep your pipes clog free:

• Brush your hair before you take a bath or shower. This will get rid of any loose hairs before you get chance to wash them down the drain
• Run hot water through your pipes after each use. This can help to dislodge and break down any fats or soap that have managed to make their way down without you realising. You may be able to stop them from solidifying against the inside of your pipes
• Try home remedies such as baking powder and vinegar once every couple of months to dislodge anything that has managed to stick to the side of your drains
• Make sure you scrape any leftover food into the bin before you wash up or put your plates in the dishwasher. This can help to stop small scraps of food from going into your drains and sticking to anything that may be there.
• Use a strainer on all of your plugs to catch anything that shouldn’t be going down and regularly clean them and empty the contents in the bin – you will be surprised at what can accidentally get caught in them!
• Pour liquid grease and fat into a sealable container and put it in the bin, or take to a recycle centre once it is cooled to stop it from sticking to your pipes
• Watch what you flush and make sure that you only put paper into your toilet. Toilets were designed for waste and toilet paper only, and anything else that is accidentally flushed can cause a blockage. Wipes, sanitary products and dental floss should all be put in the bin.

Find Drain Specialists in Warrington

Sometimes you can do all the preventing possible and blocked drains will still happen. If you are looking to find drain specialists in Warrington, then call us here at Mersey Rod for a quick, efficient, and friendly service to help you get back up and running again. We can help to organise a CCTV drain survey in Warrington to find the root of your problem – fast. We know that time can be of the essence when dealing with a severely blocked drain, and a drain survey in Warrington is the quickest way to find out what is the cause of the problem. We will use specialist cameras to feed into your drains and provide a real time live feed to our on-site monitor. This will allow us to be able to quickly assess the situation and diagnose what the problem is, and what the best solution will be. By organising a CCTV drain survey in Warrington, you can stop small and stubborn blockages from becoming a disaster!

If you want a trusted and reputable blocked drain company, then get in touch with Mersey Rod today for more information. We are here to ensure that you get the quickest and most convenient solution to your drain problems, no matter how large or small. Don’t let something that can be easily fixed turn into a plumbing emergency!