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It is a fact of life that drains get blocked. That is why plumbers incorporate inspection chambers and manhole covers when they install and build drains, to ensure that we can access blocked drains and clear and clean them. But why do drains get blocked in the first place? That is the question.
Undoubtedly the most common cause of blocked drains are roots of trees. As trees grow, their roots push deep into the ground and further away from the tree trunk in search of water. If there are cracks in pipes or drains, the roots will push through the cracks and eventually block the drain. If the pipe is old and brittle, the roots may even cause the drain to crack.
So if you are planting a tree or trees in your garden, make sure you don’t plant in the vicinity of existing drains and buried pipes. Also choose trees that do minimal damage and rigorously avoid those with invasive root systems that are known to cause havoc underground, like poplars, willow trees, jacarandas (no matter how gorgeous they look when they flower), large gum trees and pine trees. If the roots get into your private sewer system, you’re going to need a licensed plumber to remove them for you.
Oil and grease will also block your drains. It doesn’t happen straight away, but will build up over time, often suddenly causing an emergency blockage. Obviously you need to wash your greasy pots and pans, and so there’s not a lot you can do to completely avoid oil and grease going down the drain, but don’t ever be tempted to dispose of oil down the sink. Using chemical cleaners on a regular basis can be quite helpful, because they break down the grease. But choose products that are environmentally friendly otherwise you’ll be doing damage in a different way.
Another cause of blocked drains is hair. It might sound unlikely, but in fact an incredible amount of hair builds up in drains. Every time you wash your hair in the bath or shower, a little bit of hair is likely to go down the drain. If you see hair, remove it from the grate that is fitted over the bath or shower trap, and dispose of it in a bin.
Toilet paper is another drain-blocking culprit, particularly when too much of it is stuffed into the bowl at one time. Disposable nappies, sanitary pads and tampons are even worse, because they take longer to break down. You can’t cut out the toilet paper, but bin the rest.
Anything solid will also block a drain, even those useful toilet fresheners (or toilet ducks) that you can hook inside the toilet bowl. If it is flushed down the drain by mistake, it can easily end up blocking the pipe work at a bend.
Another surprisingly common cause is excess building material, like mortar and bits of broken bricks that makes its way into the drainage system. This is usually due to careless on the part of builders or homeowners doing their own renovations. In fact, anything solid that is dropped into a drain, either via the toilet, or into an open drain outside, can cause a blockage. So you need to be vigilant. |
