Blocked drains are a nuisance. They can lead to a build-up of dirty water, unpleasant smells, overflows and, in the worst cases, damage to property. But there are a few steps you can take to prevent them getting blocked in the first place.
s your drain outdoors?
Whether your drain is indoors or outdoors, the most common reason that they get blocked is because of what is being put down them.
If it is an outside drain that gets blocked it might be because, dead leaves, grass cuttings or twigs are being blown into it. To remedy this ensure you have an appropriately sized grate on your drain entrance to catch debris and garden waste.
In the kitchen?
If it is an indoor drain running from the kitchen sink, again you must look carefully at what you are putting down the plughole.
One common cause of blockages is a build of fat, oil and grease (FOG) that has congealed in the drain and blocked the pipe. To prevent this happening you need to stop as much FOG as possible from getting down the plughole.
- Make sure you scrap plates free of grease into the bin before washing them, and wipe roasting trays with a kitchen roll before they go into the sink.
- There is also a variety of other food stuff you should avoid putting down the plughole – rice, pasta, coffee grounds and vegetable peelings can all accumulate and lead to blockages.
In the bathroom?
Items such as nappies, sanitary towels, plasters and wet wipes are often found in sewers but, really, they should never be flushed down the toilet, as they can cause blockages. Even too much toilet paper can lead to a blockage.
- Keep combs, bottles and other bulky items away from the toilet edge as they can accidentally fall down and cause problems.
- Make sure toilet fresheners are well-secured to toilet edge so they don’t fall in.
Home-made remedies
If a drain is moderately blocked one tip is to mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of vinegar – this will cause a chemical reaction that will eat away at any build-up of dirt and grease. A mixture of baking soda and salt may also displace grease.
Prevention is better than cure!
One way to ensure your drains and pipes do not get blogged is to use a chemical cleaner like Buster’s Deep Clean Foamer on a regular basis to ensure there is no build-up of gunge that could lead to a snarl-up. It is recommended householders use Buster’s Deep Clean Foamer on a weekly basis to get the best results.