Clogs in a drain can be a problem. They may cause pressure to build up in the pipes, resulting in cracks and bursts. They can also result in a buildup of bacteria and mould, causing bad odours and poor air quality. Fortunately, there are good habits and regular steps that you can take that will help keep your drains clog-free.
What causes drain clogs?
Common causes of drain clogs are everyday things like hair, soap scum, food particles, and grease and oil. Any object that finds its way into a pipe such as toys, small items, and even excess toilet paper can cause clogs. Outside, tree roots can infiltrate pipes.
Treatment
If you do have severe or persistent clogs in the drain, you will likely have to call in a professional. They can apply a variety of techniques including drain snaking and hydro jetting to clear the clogs.
If it is not clear what is causing the blockage, they may carry out an inspection via a CCTV camera. If this is something you need, an internet search should give results for your area. For example, a search like ‘CCTV drain survey Loughborough’ will give links to specialist drain survey providers such as Wilkinson Environmental.
Avoiding drain clogs
Prevention is better than cure, so try to avoid clogs forming. Drain strainers can prevent hair and food particles from getting into the drain. You should avoid pouring grease and fat down the drain, finding alternative ways to dispose of cooking oil.
Once a week, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain to help dissolve the buildup of grease and soap scum. Once a month, make a solution of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar to pour down the drain. This can deodorise the pipes and dissolve small clots.
Hard water can cause a mineral buildup in the pipe, so installing a water softener can help prevent that if you live in a hard water area.
Make sure that everyone in the household understands what they need to do to play their part in keeping the drains clog-free.