How Everyday Habits Are Slowly Blocking Your Drains

Most people don’t think about their drains. As long as the water disappears when you turn off the tap, you assume everything’s fine.

But drains are like your arteries.

You take them for granted until something gets clogged. But by then, the problem has already been building up for months.

It’s the habit we do every day which can put the most strain on our plumbing. What you may consider normal, your pipes may be catastrophic.

Let’s take a look at how the little things we do, without thinking, can block your drains and cost you more than you’d expect.

1. Pouring Cooking Grease Down the Sink

This is a big one.

After you’ve finished cooking up some bacon, it’s easy to just tilt the pan and pour the grease straight into the sink. After all, it is a liquid.

But it doesn’t stay that way for very long.

Once the grease cools, it hardens and sticks to the inside of your pipes. Over time, that greasy residue builds up. It starts catching other things like food bits, coffee grounds, and anything else going down the drain. Then eventually, it can build up into a big blockage.

Instead, pour it into a container and throw it out. That way it won’t stick around in your house more than it’s welcome to.

2. Rinsing Food Scraps into the Drain

You’re doing the dishes and there’s some leftover rice or bits of pasta. A few seconds under the tap the problem is solved… or created.

Rice, pasta, oats, and even potato peelings swell up when they absorb water. So even a tiny amount can expand and clump together in your pipes.

Alternatively, fibrous foods like celery or corn husks don’t break down easily. They get stuck in your drain like tangled hair and just sit there.

A strainer or sink guard can save you some headaches later on. That way, the food will be caught before it can block any pipes.

3. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Koala bears aren’t bears. Flushable wipes aren’t flushable.

A lot of wipes are labeled “flushable,” but most plumbers will tell you… they’re really not. Unlike toilet paper, which breaks down in water, these wipes stay intact long enough to get stuck in bends and joins in your pipes.

And if more debris gets trapped there, like hair, you’ve got yourself a blockage in the making. Even other hygiene products like floss and cotton buds can get trapped in the toilet.

As a general rule, if it isn’t toilet paper… don’t flush it.

4. Letting Hair Wash Down the Shower

Hair is one of the most common causes of bathroom blockages.

It might not seem like much, but over time, hair collects and binds with soap scum to form a not-so-pleasant clog. It acts like a net, catching more and more hair every time you shower. That’s especially true for girls and people with long hair.

5. Using Too Much Soap or Detergent

This one surprises a lot of people.

Some soaps, especially bar soaps, are made with animal fats. When mixed with hard water (which contains minerals like calcium and magnesium), it creates a thick residue known as soap scum.

This residue clings to the inside of your pipes and slowly builds up. Over time, it narrows the width of your pipe and can eventually block it.

Liquid soap or soap-free cleansers are often a better option, especially if your area has hard water (and Queensland generally does).

6. Washing Dirt or Mud Down the Drain

If you’ve ever had a hard day gardening, there is nothing better than having a nice warm shower. The layers of dirt surrounding your body get washed away, and you leave spick and span.

But…

Dirt doesn’t stay suspended in the water forever. It settles at the bottom of pipes, especially in slow-draining areas. If you also account for hair and soap, it can clog up before you know it.

Next time, try shaking off excess dirt outside or rinsing boots with the hose before heading to the sink.

7. Ignoring Slow Drains

A slow drain can be annoying…

And a warning.

When water takes ages to drain from the sink or shower, something is not right. One possibility is that your drain is about to be blocked. It might have not happened yet, but it’s on the way.

Instead of just learning to live with that drain, acting now can prevent a blockage. And if you forget the bath, and need a working drain… These are the times they come in handy.

Why These Everyday Habits Matter

Blocked drains aren’t just inconvenient. If left unchecked, they can cause:

• Burst pipes
• Water damage to walls and floors
• Mould and mildew
• Structural issues
• Expensive emergency plumbing bills

Yet, as we’ve seen, a lot of this is preventable by small tweaks in our daily habits.

You don’t need to live in fear of your drains. But you do need to be aware of how to treat them.

Easy Ways to Prevent A Drain Crisis 

Here’s a short list of practical steps anyone can follow:

• Use a strainer in your kitchen and bathroom sinks
• Scrape plates before rinsing them
• Let the grease cool and throw it in the bin.
• Brush your hair before the shower
• Avoid flushing wipes, floss, or hygiene products.
• Use less soap or switch to soap-free options.
• Watch for early signs, like smells or slow drainage.

These simple steps might seem like a slight inconvenience, but they save you a lot of pain down the line.

It’s easy to think that a bit of grease down the sink today doesn’t hurt. But over time, these habits add up and it’s damaging the home you paid for.

You don’t need to be a plumber to protect your pipes. Just be a little bit more careful.

If you’re experiencing any blocked drains or have a plumbing issue currently, you can get a free quote today. We’ll then get back to you as soon as possible.

Let’s make plumbing something you are proud of!