Most people will experience a drain blockage in their home at some point, and many will face regular blockages in their plumbing systems without understanding why. To avoid blockages, you will need to understand how and why they occur, and learn the best ways to avoid them.

How Blockages Occur 

Blockages occur when a substance gets stuck in your piping system and cannot move through. For a foreign object, it may be too large or the wrong shape to pass through the shaped pipes. For waste products, there tends to be a build up over time.

For these substance blockages that gradually get worse, you’ll notice an increase in the severity of the blockage. What once took two minutes to drain may now take 10, and water could stop passing through altogether in the future.

If you suddenly find a blocked drain in your home, you may have an object stuck that needs removal or a bit of encouragement to pass through. Regardless of what’s blocking your plumbing system, you’ll need to contact a reputable professional to get it fixed.

What Things Most Commonly Block Your Drainage System? 

The locations of your pipes will affect what most commonly blocks them, but there are a few substances that are commonly found to be the cause of clogs. In your bathroom, you’re most likely to have a build up of hair in your drains, especially when you’re showering or bathing. Try to avoid issues by removing any visible hair you see manually, rather than rinsing it down the plughole.

There will be a lot of fats and oils in your kitchen that can clog your drains. Fat sticks to the inside of pipes, which then build up over time. Dispose of fats and oils in a safe way, such as letting them solidify and putting them in the garbage, or sealing them in a bottle. Don’t rinse fatty liquids down your sink purely for ease, as you’ll find you have an issue later down the line.

How to Avoid Blockages in the Future 

Aside from not flushing foreign objects down into your pipes, there are a few things you can do to help keep your plumbing system flowing freely.

Regularly clean your drains, and rinse them with hot water and baking soda or vinegar to get rid of odors and prevent blockages from oils and fats. These products help to break down clogs, absorb bad smells and keep viscous liquids running through your pipes.

You should also schedule regular maintenance for your plumbing system from a professional. Regardless of how careful you are, sometimes blockages can still occur. Without regular inspection by a plumber, you may not know you have a blockage until it’s become much worse.

With these tips, you’ll likely be able to prevent a plumbing emergency. If you find yourself with a blockage that needs sorting immediately, contact a trusted 24/7 plumber to deal with your issue.

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How to Prevent Clogs in Your Drains,