What Are The Preventive Measures Homeowners Can Take to Avoid Drain Blockages?

Clogged drains are a nuisance, and they are something that every homeowner will deal with at some point. Not only are they incredibly frustrating to deal with, but having a clogged drain, sink, shower, or toilet can cause significant damage to your overall plumbing system. Sometimes, a blocked drain in your home can cause huge mess and disruption, and can ultimately make your problem worse than before. The good news is, that there are plenty of steps that you can take to help prevent blocked drains at home, and we’ve put together a list of all the tips and tricks we know. Try these before calling in professional drain unblocking in Warrington, you might be surprised!

How to Prevent Blocked Drains at Home

Don’t Pour Grease Or Fat Down The Sink

Oil and grease are not friends with your drains, but they are extremely common items to pour down the sink – sometimes without realising. Pouring them down your kitchen sink is a quick way of making sure that your drainage system gets clogged. While it might seem easy to pour down the sink, it can be an expensive fix if you end up clogging your pipes. Your drains are capable of handling other liquids such as milk, water, and juice, but cooking oil and grease act differently once they are inside your pipes. These products tend to sit within your pipes and create a sticky, solid blockage that is not only difficult to remove, it also attracts anything else that might find its way into your drainage system.

Use Sink Strainers

Sink strainers or drain guards are a quick and easy preventative method that anyone can install to help keep blocked drains at bay. They are small metal, mesh, or silicone sieves that are placed over the plugholes to protect your drains. The idea is that they let water pass through them and down the drain as normal, but they will catch anything else and keep it from entering your drainage system. It is a good idea to use drain guards in your bathrooms and your kitchen, as they will be able to catch food and beauty products that would usually clog your drains. You can also use on in your bath or shower to help catch any hair. Hair is a major culprit when it comes to blocked drains as it easily slips down into your drains and then binds together with soap and other products, creating a blockage that you will struggle to shift. Sink strainers are extremely effective and they are easy to clean. They come in a range of sizes and can fit all plugholes.

Carry Out Regular Maintenance 

Regular maintenance is one of the best preventative measures that you can take when it comes to blocked drains. It is important that you establish a proper cleaning routine, and even better if you use natural materials to help protect the inside of your pipes. Once a month, try pouring baking soda and vinegar down the drains to help get rid of accumulated debris and dirt. Leave for at least half an hour (or overnight if possible) and flush away with boiling water. You will be surprised at how effective this simple method can be in keeping your drains flowing freely.

Be Careful Of What You Flush

One of the main causes of a blocked drain is the improper disposal of household waste. You need to make sure that you are only flushing paper down the toilet and avoid flushing any non-biodegradable items down. These items include wet wipes, sanitary products, and paper towels. You might also find that flushing too much toilet paper creates a blockage, so make sure that you are mindful of the amount that you are flushing!

Mind Your Garden

The drainage system that keeps your home running is inevitably going to be connected to an outdoor drainage system, so it is important to be mindful of your garden and your landscaping choices. Planting trees and shrubs too close to pipes can lead to intrusive root systems that will cause blockages over time. A gurgling noise is the first sign that you might have a tree root problem, as tree roots are naturally drawn to constant water sources like your pipes. You need to choose plant varieties that don’t have intrusive root systems, and make sure that you plant them at a safe distance away from your underground pipes – otherwise, you will be faced with a very expensive and disruptive problem o fix!

Have A Professional Inspection

Consider organising a professional inspection of your pipes and drainage system. By organising a CCTV drain survey, our trained technicians will be able to view and assess real-time footage of the inside of your drainage system and identify any potential issues before they turn into major problems. This allows you to take proactive steps and measures to help stop any problems from escalating. While it might seem like an expensive preventative measure, the price to organise a CCTV drain survey every couple of years is nothing compared to the price of dealing with a collapsed pipe or a garden excavation.

Address Minor Issues Quickly

If you do notice that there is an issue with your pipes, for example, a sink is draining slowly or you can hear gurgling noises coming from your pipes, then you need to be addressing these minor issues quickly. Whilst you might think you can put up with these small annoyances, ignoring these early warning signs can only lead to more significant and much larger problems further down the line. Quick action with small issues can help to save you time, money, and hassle when they turn into plumbing disasters.

Educate The Household

It is extremely important that you educate the whole household on these preventative measures. While you might be following these tips and tricks, it will be pointless if everyone else is flushing wet wipes down the toilet or pouring away cooking oil after every meal down the sink. Even small thoughtless acts will add up eventually, and it will be even worse if more than one person isn’t following these steps. Ensure that everyone in your household is aware of the importance of following these steps to help maintain a healthy and free flowing drainage system.

So, if you are looking to prevent blocked drains at home then follow our guide carefully! By using these preventative methods, you can avoid many common drain issues that will cause you stress and hassle. If you find that you are still experiencing blocked drain issues, then give us a call here at Mersey Rod. No matter what your problem is, whether it is a small inconvenience through to a large plumbing emergency, our experts here at Mersey Rod are dedicated to getting your drains running smoothly again. We aim to offer you the quickest solution at the most cost-effective price so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank. Our trained professionals have years of experience and knowledge to provide the best service possible. If you are looking for professional drain unblocking in Wirral, or you have any questions or queries, please call us today for more information.