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Countdown Of The Top 5 Causes Of Blocked Drains

Are your drains blocked?

We go over some of the most common causes - so you know what to look out for (and so you can put the necessary preventative measures in place). These are our Top 5 reasons why you might have a blocked drain as we see these cases nearly everyday.

So without further ado - here is our countdown of the top 5 causes of a blocked drain:


#5: "Flushable" Wipes

This is one of the most common misconceptions around. There are so many companies around displaying that their products are "flushable" when we all know that the only thing that is flushable, is toilet paper.

Although manufacturers do provide test results stating that flushable wipes are deemed safe to flush. There is more evidence that supports the flushing of these wipes can and does increase the risk of clogged sewer pipes.

So, don't be fooled when you see wipes or other products stating that they are "flushable" because they won't break down enough to flow through your sewerage lines.


#4: Too Much Toilet Paper

Nothing wrong with flushing toilet paper down - except when there is too much at once being flushed!

This is an easy fix, as much as toilet paper can break down, a whole clump of it will get stuck in your drains. The easiest way to solve it, only use what you need. Or simply flush often.


Too much toilet paper is a problem

#3: Greases And Fats

This is obviously more common for when the kitchen sink backs up but is still quite relevant and is one of the most common reasons why you could have a blocked sink drain. The greases and oils and fats, mainly from your cooking tends to get poured down your sink which is a big no no, especially in the colder winter months.

We all know fats and oils thicken up when they get put in a cold environment, like a fridge, so when they sit in your drains and build up. They clinch onto your drains and catch anything else that gets flushed down a toilet, or drained down a sink.


#2: Broken Pipes

Whether you have relatively new PVC pipes or old clay pipes - a major factor of blocked drains are broken or damaged pipes, once the pipe collapses or separates, it opens the door for anything to become stuck.

Corrosion also comes into play here - pipes are meant to last a long time and the vast majority of them do. However, that doesn't mean pipes will last indefinitely. If you experience a broken pipe from corrosion, it is important to determine the exact cause in order to prevent the problem from recurring.


#1: Tree Roots

By far the most common cause of a Blocked Drain is growing tree roots, the main reason for this is due to the previous cause of broken or damaged pipes. Whether there is a large crack or separation in your sewerage line or even a very small crack, tree roots manage to find their way in and once they're in, there's no stopping them.

The Tree Roots strive off of sewerage lines because they have a constant source of water and a food source being the waste.


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