Why Does My Drain Keep Getting Blocked?

The Causes Of Blocked Drains

While the one blocked drain may give you a headache, a drain that keeps getting blocked can be an absolute nightmare. They're disruptive, inconvenient and it can be hard figuring out the cause. Here are a few common reasons for why your drain keeps getting blocked and some simple tricks on how to prevent them.

Children in the House

When sharing your house with children, it’s anyone’s guess what could be blocking your drain. Toys and small containers are prime culprits to your blocked drain situation. Nappies and baby wipes are particularly lethal because they are designed to expand and retain liquid. Teach your children not to bring toys with them into the bathroom and make sure that all baby products are placed in the bin. If something important was flushed, check out our post on Easy Steps to Retrieve Items Flushed in the Toilet.

Grease & Fat Build–up

While washing a bit of oil or margarine down the sink seems harmless enough, greasy and fatty substances can build–up in your drain to create a blockage. They solidify when cool and, over time, form lumps attached to the inside of drains which interfere with the flow of water. Regularly run hot water down your sink to stop these from being left solid for too long, or they’ll build and be harder to remove. Instead, wipe your greasy dishes with a paper towel before washing or drain it into a separate container for disposal. Check out our post on What You Shouldn't Put Down The Kitchen Sink.

Hair Build–up

Human and pet hair are chief villains of blocked drains, but also the easiest to prevent. Particularly in bathrooms and showers, trapped hair can build–up and block unprotected drains. This attracts grease, which solidifies when cooled and attaches itself to the inside of pipes. Invest in a drain catcher for the easy removal of hair before it accumulates. 

Pipe Problems

For most people, pipes are out of sight and out of mind - until something goes wrong. Like anything that gets continuous use, your drainage will suffer from cracks and breaks, or even poor installation. In some cases, you’ll be able to see stains or discolouration on your walls but not always. If you suspect a blocked drain, then contact Jet Blaster Man on 04 1867 1090.

What to Do with a Blocked Drain

If you have a blocked drain situation on your hands, first see if you can solve it yourself. Try using drain cleaning products but always read the instructions because you might end up making the problem worse. See our post on 6 Natural Ways To Deal With Blocked Drains. If you can’t solve the blockage yourself, contact Jet Blaster Man’s blocked drain specialists. Also check out  our post on 5 Ways To Avoid A Blocked Drain.