7 Common Reasons Why Drains Clog

Whether they carry water or trash, clogged plumbing lines are never good. If there is a full or partial obstruction, plumbing water will redirect itself, resulting in everything from backups and flooding to slow drainage and low pressure.

While some problems may create minor inconveniences and annoyances, others may result in significant harm and cost. Many people are looking for ways to avoid all kinds of clogged plumbing situations or seeking fixes for any current issue. The best protection against accidents is more understanding of the reasons for blocked drains in Geelong, which is also a fantastic preventative action to adopt. Your information can then be used to identify and prevent issues.

Finding and clearing a drain clog may seem straightforward, but the process can be complicated and can only be handled by plumbers in Melbourne.

1. Tree roots

Tree roots are the most common reason for blockages and obstructions in water and sewer mains. Tree roots can infiltrate systems of any age. However, they are more likely to do so in older homes’ pipes. According to some experts, a gurgling sound is the first indication that tree roots have entered a sewer or water line.

Tree roots naturally gravitate towards water in sanitary and waste sewer pipes because they seek moisture as living things do, especially if a pipe has a crack, springs, or another type of leak.

It’s crucial to watch for any tree root invasion if you reside in a wooded region or have many trees nearby. Some people choose to have a video inspection performed every few years because the service costs significantly less than fixing a problem that has gone unattended.

2. Wipes

Wipes that can be flushed can harm the system. Some cities and organisations handling and processing wastewater have discouraged using purportedly flushable wipes. According to a report from 2015, the City of New York spent $18 million over five years to clear the wipes clogging the wastewater system.

These moist lavatory wipes, which have become increasingly popular in recent years, have also sparked litigation due to allegations that the items break down when flushed. They allegedly don’t fragment when flushed and are only referred to as “flushable” because they can fit into the pipe.

Wipes and their influence on public systems have gained attention from local cities to the Federal Trade Commission. Public education campaigns are currently running in many states and cities, and millions of dollars are allegedly on the line. Some water treatment facilities have solved the issue by purchasing pricey industrial shredders to handle the wipes.

3. Female Hygiene

Because they do not biodegrade and include cotton and other fibres with a high propensity to clog pipes and draw in additional clogging agents, feminine hygiene products and newborn diapers threaten plumbing systems. Both are not biodegradable and present a risk to both public and private systems.

Even though pad wrappers and tampon applicators may advertise as “flushable,” the microbes used in sewer treatment do not digest anything other than human waste.

4. Fat, Oil, and Grease

Although we’d like to think that most people know the dangers of pouring grease from a pan of bacon down the sink or garbage disposal, we might not be aware of all the other things that can include fat, oil, or grease. For instance, steak or other meat scraps, butter, vegetable oil, chocolate, cream, and other ingredients.

5. Hair

Hair can build up to the point that it causes a partial or complete blockage, slowing the flow. We cannot prevent hair from naturally falling out of our heads, but we may strive to protect the drain as much as possible by using modest screens and good habits, such as sweeping hair out of sinks and washing hair brushes over the trash can.

The plumbers in Melbourne recommend using needle-nose pliers or gently work with long tweezers to pluck the hair out frequently when you notice hair building up on the drain or even hanging from it rather than allowing it to sit or wash down the drain. Additionally, various drain screens are available to prevent hair from travelling down the drain and facilitate cleanup.

6. Pipe Scale

The mineral residue that water leaves behind, known as pipe scale, interacts with your pipes and can eventually pile up to the point where it causes a clog or obstruction. Scale buildup is often caused by dissolved calcium, magnesium, and occasionally other metallic elements left behind by flowing water.

These particles react to both temperature variations and continuing wet-dry conditions. The scale begins to gather in one area, where it draws additional scale until it reaches an obstructive size. Mineral buildup in pipes can also impact other water-using appliances like dishwashers and washing machines.

7. Food

Never flush food crumbs or pieces down the toilet, sink, bathtub or laundry chute; always dispose of them in the garbage instead. It should not go down the toilet in particular. Since it isn’t what they were made to carry, none of these blocked drains in Geekong and Pipe Relining Geelong tolerate much of it. Any stringy, stiff, sticky, or pointy edible will not fit well in a water pipe.

Some foods are entirely incompatible with even the most powerful garbage disposal systems. We’ll talk more about garbage disposals later. Disposal systems work by shredding waste into minute pieces so that they can pass through drainage pipes without clogging. Unfortunately, many of the foods we eat are challenging to shred.

Find The Best Drain Cleaning Solution with Your Local Plumbing

Understanding the typical causes of drain clogs is crucial for avoiding these annoying and potentially expensive problems. You can keep your plumbing in good working order by performing appropriate maintenance, utilising drain screens, and being careful about what goes down the drain. You may enjoy trouble-free water flow and peace of mind in your home or business by maintaining a clog-free environment through routine cleaning and taking care of obstructions as soon as they arise.