We all rely on our drains to work day in and day out, but if they aren’t in tip-top condition, it can cause issues ranging from nasty smells to full-blown flooding. Understanding the most common causes of blocked drains will help you prevent them in the future. 

Grease, fat and oil wash down drains smoothly when they’re in their liquid state but solidify over time, causing a serious clog. Prevent these clogs by placing a waste basket near your kitchen sink and always wiping down dishes with paper towels. For help with a blocked drain in Melbourne Links to an external site., a professional plumber may be required to prevent further damages to your plumbing system. 

Hair and Soap 

Many common soaps contain animal fat derivatives that mix with minerals in water to form a sticky residue that can clog drain pipes. Switching to liquid soaps and a regular cleaning schedule can help eliminate this problem. 

Hair and pet hair also cause a lot of blockages. The average person sheds 60-100 hair strands daily, which can quickly accumulate and clog shower and tub drains. One of our plumbers once had to extract several meters of hair from a customer’s 

drain system, which had already solidified into large clumps. Keep this issue at bay by installing a hair catcher in your bathroom sinks and showers, brushing your hair before you go to the shower, and regularly clearing your drains with a plunger or drain cleaner. 

Foreign objects such as toys, cotton swabs, and dental floss can also get caught in toilets, sinks, and bathtub drains. It’s important to exercise caution when disposing of these items and only flush items that are designed for the toilet. 

Food Waste 

A clogged drain is unpleasant, but it can also be dangerous if it blocks toilets and other utilities. If you notice a foul odor or water backing up through sinks or bathtub drains, it’s time to call a plumber. 

Even though most people use sink strainers to catch food scraps, small chunks of food can still wash down drains and build up over time. It’s best to compost vegetable peelings, eggshells, and other scraps instead of dumping them down the drain. 

Grease and fat washed down kitchen drains sticks to the sides of pipes and combines with other food debris to create tough clogs. You can prevent this by pouring grease and fat into a container to solidify before throwing it away with the trash. It’s also important to regularly clean your garbage disposal with a solution of baking soda and vinegar. This helps keep drains unclogged and fresh-smelling. A professional plumbing service can also install proper slope and venting to reduce clogs. 

Garbage Disposal

Putting food scraps down your garbage disposal isn’t a good idea, but sometimes even small particles can get caught and block the drain. Grease, fats, oils and other kitchen waste cool and harden as they go down the drain and stick to pipe walls. This build-up contributes to blocked drains. 

Foreign objects that end up in the sink or drain are another common cause of blockages. These can include toys, cotton pads, sanitary items and more. Ensure that these things don’t enter your pipes by using a trap in the bath and shower, and regularly flushing your toilets with a homemade mixture of boiling water, vinegar and baking soda. 

Drains that aren’t able to flow due to ground movement or incorrect installation are another cause of blocked drains. This may include a drain that is falling uphill or has a belly in it that will catch waste and lead to blockages over time. Regularly cleaning your garbage disposal and making sure it’s properly installed is the best way to avoid these problems. 

Broken Pipes 

In some cases, a drain clog Links to an external site. is caused by a broken pipe. Oftentimes, the broken pipe is located underground or in your walls and can be quite difficult to repair due to the location. A broken pipe will allow foreign materials to find their way into your plumbing system and clog the pipes. 

This is why it is important to prevent foreign objects from entering your drains in the first place. Children’s toys, wipes and even sanitary items can easily be flushed down toilets or washed down sinks and can clog your pipes if not disposed of properly. You can prevent this by placing a waste basket in your bathroom and making sure that sanitary products, cotton pads, face wipes and any other similar items are thrown away in the bin instead of being flushed. 

Also, if you hear gurgling sounds while your water is draining it could indicate that there is a partial blockage in the system. The vents that run throughout your DWV system promote airflow as water passes through and a blocked or partially blocked vent will cut off this natural process.