What are the Main Causes of Blocked Drains? Discover in Our Ultimate Guide

From kitchen sinks to basins and showers, we all rely on drains everyday. Put simply, well-functioning drains are integral to every plumbing system. Unfortunately, blockages occur on a fairly regular basis and when they do, it can be really inconvenient and frustrating.

This brings us to today’s question; what are the main causes of blocked drains? In this ultimate guide, we’ll cover the most common culprits, as well how to both prevent and respond to blockages in your plumbing system.

Clear Signs You Have a Blocked Drain

First things first, if you notice water pooling around your feet while showering or a sink that takes longer than usual to drain, chances are it’s a blockage. In this case, you’re best served to contact a local plumber straight away. 

Other indicators include unpleasant odours that emanate from the drain area, strange gurgling noises coming from pipes, or water levels rising dangerously high when you flush the toilet. These symptoms all suggest that something is obstructing the normal smooth flow of water through your plumbing system.

In some cases, you might also notice damp spots on floors or walls near plumbing fixtures, which could be an indication of a more severe underlying problem. If multiple drains in your home are slow or backing up simultaneously, this could signal a significant blockage in your main sewer line. 

Ignoring these warning signs can lead to more severe issues like water damage, mould growth, or even sewage backups, which can pose health risks.

Minor vs Major Blockages

Blocked drains can range from minor inconveniences to major disruptions. Minor blockages often occur as a result of hair, soap, or small food particles that have accumulated in the drain. Typically, these situations may be resolved with a plunger, a drain snake, or a natural drain cleaner. 

On the flip side, major blockages might be caused by more severe issues such as tree roots that have infiltrated sewer lines or substantial grease build-up in your piping network. Due to their complex nature, these more significant blockages tend to cause extensive damage and often require professional intervention to resolve.

Minor blockages are usually easy to detect and fix. For instance, if your bathroom sink drains slowly but doesn’t overflow, you can often resolve it with a plunger or by removing the visible hair and debris. However, major blockages are more insidious and can disrupt your entire plumbing system. 

When a significant blockage occurs, you might experience water backups in multiple fixtures or hear unusual noises from your plumbing. When this happens, you will need the assistance of professional plumbers with access to advanced diagnostic tools like CCTV cameras. This allows them to identify the exact location and cause of the blockage without having to dig up sections of your property.

5 of the Most Common Causes

1. Hair

Hair is a common culprit of drain blockages, especially in the bathroom. Whether it’s from washing your hair in the shower or shaving over the sink, hair can easily accumulate and bind with soap residue to create a stubborn clog. 

Luckily, there are ways to prevent hair from causing blockages, such as installing mesh screens or guards over your drains to catch hair before it enters the plumbing system. Once installed, we recommend that you get into a routine of cleaning the screens to remove the build-up of hair and any other residue. 

Next, make sure to educate all of your household members on the proper hair disposal methods, such as removing hair from combs and brushes before rinsing them in the sink. By taking these proactive steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of hair build-up in your drains.

2. Improper Disposal of Sanitary Products

Items such as tampons, sanitary pads, wipes, and paper towels should never be flushed down the toilet. These products are designed to absorb moisture and do not disintegrate like toilet paper, therefore leading to significant blockages. Always dispose of these items in your rubbish bin or green bin to avoid plumbing issues.

Much like hair build-up, you’ll need to let everyone know that only toilet paper should be flushed. Additionally, keeping a waste bin with a lid in each bathroom provides a convenient and hygienic disposal option for sanitary products and other non-flushable items. 

Implementing these simple measures allows you to maintain a healthy plumbing system and avoid the hassle and expense of dealing with blockages caused by improper disposal.

3. Cooking Fat and Grease

Pouring cooking fats, oils, or grease down the kitchen sink is a common mistake. As these substances cool, they solidify and stick to the inner walls of pipes, gradually building up and causing blockages. Instead, collect fats and oils in a container and dispose of them in the rubbish bin, or wipe down greasy pans thoroughly before washing. 

If you want to further mitigate the risk of grease-related blockages, consider setting up a dedicated disposal system for cooking oils and fats. For example, you can even designate a container specifically for collecting used cooking oil and fat, which can then be properly disposed of at a recycling centre or waste facility that handles such materials. 

Additionally, using hot water and a mild detergent can help to dissolve minor grease build-ups before they eventuate into significant blockages. Adopting these simple practices is a great way to keep your kitchen plumbing running smoothly and prevent costly repairs.

Need professional assistance in Central Victoria? We’re the leading blocked drains plumbers in Bendigo. For comprehensive services from a local drain blockage specialist, make sure you get in touch with Plumbcall straight away.

4. Tree Roots

Trees naturally seek out water sources, and even a tiny crack in your underground pipes can attract root systems. Once inside, roots can grow, then end up causing significant blockages and damage. Arranging a regular inspection of your pipes, especially if you live in a heavily wooded area, is the best way to detect and mitigate this problem early.

When compared to hair related blockages, the issues caused by tree roots are extensive. As roots expand within the pipes, they cause pipes to crack, break, or collapse, leading to severe leaks and potentially catastrophic failures in your plumbing system. In turn, this may lead to increased wastewater backflow into your home that poses risks to floors, walls, and personal property.

5. Damaged Pipes

From age to ground movement or improper installation, various factors can affect the pipes on your property. Unfortunately, both cracks and breaks in pipes can then lead to leaks and blockages. Key signs of damaged pipes include visible water stains on walls or ceilings and reduced water pressure. 

Damaged pipes can cause numerous issues beyond just leaks and blockages. For instance, leaks from damaged pipes tend to lead to mould and mildew growth, which poses significant health risks to your household. Moreover, water leaking from cracked or broken pipes can cause structural damage to your home, weakening foundations and walls, leading to costly repairs. 

Other Likely Culprits

Although we’ve covered five of the most common causes, various other factors may be the likely culprit of your blocked drains. Excessive use of toilet paper, for example, can create blockages, especially if it’s flushed in large quantities. Kitchen waste, including food scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells, also cause blockages when disposed of improperly. 

If you like in a council area with green bins, make sure to dispose of your food scraps here, and steer well clear of any sinks or basins. Composts are another excellent way to deal with this type of waste. 

Much like preventing hair accumulation in the bathroom, strainers can also be used to catch small food particles and other debris, preventing them from entering and clogging up your pipes.

How to Prevent Blockages

As noted in the sections above, preventing drain blockages is easier and more cost-effective than dealing with them after they occur. Here are some tips to keep your drains clear:

1. Dispose of Waste Correctly: Avoid flushing non-biodegradable items like sanitary products, wipes, and cotton swabs. Dispose of grease, fats, and food scraps in the trash, not down the sink.
2. Book Regular Inspections: Conduct regular inspections of your plumbing system, especially if you live in an area with heavy vegetation. This helps identify potential issues early.
3. Use Drain Screens and Strainers: Install drain screens in sinks and showers to catch hair and food particles before they enter the pipes.

The best way to deal with blocked drains is to prevent them from ever occurring in the first place. Adopting good habits allows you to maintain the health of your plumbing system. For example, running hot water down your drains after each use can help prevent grease and soap scum build-up. By incorporating these preventive measures and habits, you can significantly reduce the risk of blockages and ensure your plumbing system remains in excellent condition.

Reach out to the Professionals

Unless it’s a minor blockage, the vast majority of blocked drains need to be inspected by a licensed plumber with the necessary training and experience. 

If home remedies and DIY methods fail to clear your blocked drains, it’s time to call in the pros. At PlumbCall, we have seasoned drain blockage specialists operating across Australia. Our experienced plumbers have a keen eye for detail, and arrive at your property with advanced equipment to handle even the most stubborn of blockages.

By reaching out to us, you receive: 

1. 100% Money Back Guarantees
2. Guaranteed Speed
3. 24hr Immediate Response

At PlumbCall, punctuality and customer satisfaction are the backbone of every service. If we’re ever late, you get 25% off your bill. Additionally, if there’s a problem with our work that we can’t fix, you can get 100% of your money back. 

Call 1300 669 111 or book online to connect with a local drainage specialist!