Blocked drains are a common problem, particularly for people who live in homes with older plumbing systems or plumbing systems that aren't maintained as well. If you often find yourself dealing with blocked drains or drains that are slow to clear, ask yourself if one of the following factors could be to blame.
1. Hair in the Drains
One of the most common causes of slowly draining showers and bathtubs is hair that is caught in the drain. Hair naturally falls out when you wash or rinse it, which means that it often ends up in the shower drain. Reduce the amount of hair that gets into the drain by using a hair guard that you empty every time you shower.
2. Grease From Cooking
Solidified grease is another common source of drain blockages. If your kitchen sink drains slowly, it is probably because cooking oil has been finding its way into the pipes.
One way to reduce this problem is to adopt lower-fat methods of cooking, such as baking and steaming rather than roasting or drying. When you do cook something that requires a lot of fat, collect the cooking grease in a container and throw it out. You can also run the hot tap after you finish washing the dishes to flush grease out of the pipes and prevent it from cooling and solidifying inside them.
3. Corroded Pipes
Corrosion in your pipes can cause leaks inside your home, which can have devastating consequences in terms of water damage. Another common consequence of corrosion is slow draining. If the plumbing in your home is very old, it is worth calling a plumber to find out if there is any corrosion on the pipes. A skilled plumber can replace the corroded sections to resolve your blocked drain issue.
4. Tree Roots Growing Into Pipes
Tree roots are capable of wreaking havoc on home plumbing systems. If you notice that you start to have a lot of problems with blocked drains in spring or summer, the cause could be tree roots growing into the pipes that carry wastewater away from your home.
Roots are naturally inclined to grow into drains because they provide moisture that the plant needs to grow. Moving or cutting down trees or shrubs can help. You should also contact a plumber who can repair the pipes and install guards to keep roots from growing into the pipes and causing further problems.
