How To Prevent Blocked Drains

There is little more annoying than a blocked drain to ruin your day. We rely on our facilities to run like clockwork and it seriously disrupts our routine when we are unable to flush the toilet or empty the sink. It’s hard enough having dirty standing water and even worse if there are leftovers or dirt coming back through your pipes. Blocked drains can often be avoided by not putting anything in the toilet that should not be there. Plumbers forever to find things in pipes that should not be there, so here is a reminder of the things that should go in the trash and not the toilet:

Nappies

Can you believe that people are trying to flush away nappies in the toilet? They are certainly not designed for this because they do not degrade in the water. More likely, they will absorb water, making them bigger and blocking the pipe forever.

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Hair

Hair is one of the main issues blocking showers and sink drains. Those with long hair tend to lose a lot when showering and it does not take long for the amount to accumulate and block the drain. This can easily be avoided by installing a guard plug or hair catch trap before it goes down the drain.

Baby and Face Wipes

Wipes should never be thrown into the toilet because they do not break down in water and can cause bad blockages. They may seem small and harmless, but the only place they need to go when you are done with them, is in the trash. If you or someone else in your home has blocked sewer, contact a site that deals with Blocked Drains Bristol, like https://www.amsdrains.co.uk/

Oil

Plumbers often find a build-up of oils or fats in the U-bend. Since both of these substances are heavier than water, it will flush but will get stuck when it hits a corner and solidify. As it hardens and builds, it will cause a complete blockage. The best thing to do with old cooking oil is pour it into a sealed container and dispose in the trash.

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Feminine Products

Sanitary towels, make-up wipes and cotton buds should also not be placed in the toilet. They are not designed to be disposed of in this way, and will cause a severe blockage, putting plastic into the water system. Keep a bin near the sink specifically for these items and put them in normal household waste.

Food

Food waste sits at the number one spot as the cause of blocked drains. When scraping the leftover food from the plate, it is easy to think a little bit just down the plug won’t be harmful. However, when you do this over this time, the food accumulates in your pipe and can cause a complete blockage, as well as an unpleasant odour. Have a bin for food which can be put in the recycling or add to your compost.

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