3 Common Reasons Drains Become Blocked
If you have noticed that the water in your sink, bath or shower is taking longer to drain away, it is likely the drain is becoming blocked. This article will explain some of the common reasons why a drain becomes blocked. Read on to find out more.
Human hair
It is no surprise that hair can accumulate in the drain, as we lose up to 100 strands each day. You can remedy this problem by first cleaning your hair out of the drain with a drain cleaning tool. These tools use a thin spiral of wire to hook onto any clumps of human hair trapped inside a drainage pipe. This process should be followed by giving the pipe a flush with hot, soapy water. If this doesn't do the job, you may wish to invest in a more powerful drain cleaning agent which will dissolve any trapped hair. If this fails, it is probably time to call in a plumber who will be able to use their tools and know-how to clear the pipe.
Poor positioning of pipes
If the person who installed the pipes in your kitchen or bathroom failed to position them properly, this could result in a blocked drain. While the majority of pipes are positioned vertically below the plug-hole, once they enter the wall, the pipe may travel horizontally to the exterior of your property. Ideally, the pipes should be positioned so they are tilted down in the direction you wish the wastewater to flow to exploit the effect of gravity. If the pipe is perfectly straight along the horizontal plane, debris which is carried in the water may sink and settle on the bottom of the pipe.
Oil and grease
Grease and oil are more than likely to become trapped in your pipes in your kitchen. Grease from your cooking, frying and washing up are most likely to clog the sink drain. When the oil and grease are hot, they are liquid and travel easily into a pipe. However, as these substances cool, they congeal into a sticky substance which coats the walls of the drain. This sticky coating can trap other bits of debris which can completely clog the pipe. While you can attempt to use a drain cleaning product to cut through the grease or oil, it is typically best to contact a professional plumber.
For more help and assistance with blocked drains, contact a plumber today.
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