Blocked drains are pretty inconvenient.
But the good news is that you don’t need to sacrifice your wallet so that these issues can be prevented. In fact, if you know what you’re doing, there’s a lot you can do on your own. You don’t have to be a certified plumber to do this.
The trick is to stop the problem before it starts.
A lot of drain blockages come from the way we live. And over time, those habits build up inside the pipes until one day, the water just won’t go down.
So here’s a look at a few simple, low-cost ways to stop your drains from blocking
Use a Drain Strainer
This is a simple trick that can help you in the long run.
When you rinse plates down the sink with bits of rice and food scraps, these go down the drain. And along the pipe, they can get stuck stopping water from passing through.
If you don’t have a strainer, you can grab them for not much at Bunnings. They sit right over your kitchen or bathroom sink and catch the stuff that usually causes blockages like those bits of food scraps.
Especially in the shower. If someone in the house has long hair, a strainer will catch much of the mess before it even touches your drain.
Just make sure you give it a wash sometimes and you’re sweet.
Don’t Pour Grease Down the Sink
A drain can look like a black hole. But it’s definitely not.
When you pour grease down the sink, it goes down as a liquid. But as it cools, grease turns solid and sticks to the inside of your pipes.
Over time, it builds up. Water can still get through at first, but it gets slower and slower until it doesn’t move at all.
Instead of pouring it down the drain, just wait for it to cool, pour it into a jar, and throw it away. Your pipes will thank you.
Keep Food Scraps Out
Even if you’ve got a decent strainer, bits still slip through when you’re doing the dishes.
After I eat a plate of rice, there are always a few grains that are stuck to the side. It can be tempting just to turn the water on. But this will create problems for your plumbing.
Rice and other food scraps can not only get stuck in your plumbing but can also swell up with water. Whilst two rice grains might not cause a whole blockage, doing this over time can add up. And that’s especially true if grease is also going down the sink.
Give your plates a quick scrape into the bin before you rinse them. It’s a tiny habit that saves you money and headaches later on.
Watch What You Flush
Toilets are only meant for two things. Your business and toilet paper. That’s it.
People flush a lot of things that really are never supposed to go down the toilet;
- Tissues
- Paper towels
- Cotton buds
- Nappies
- Feminine hygiene products
- Floss
- Wet wipes
- Gum
- Newspaper
Even “flushable” wipes can cause a world of trouble. They don’t break down like toilet paper does, and they get stuck way too easily.
If it’s not meant to completely dissolve in water, keep it out of the toilet. Even better, in my home, I have a little bin in the bathroom so no one gets tempted to flush things that don’t belong. The easier it is, the more likely you’ll succeed.
Clear Hair Before and After You Shower
Most people brush their hair after they come out from the shower.
But doing it before can also be beneficial. Hair naturally falls out when you’re washing it. So brushing your hair will get rid of those extra hairs that would have otherwise fallen out during the shower.
These hairs if they go down the drain can mix with soap and form a big hairball that water can struggle to get past.
This next part isn’t as glamorous, but it works.
After you shower, just scoop up the hair that’s collected around the drain and chuck it in the bin. You don’t have to get every last strand. But if you do it most days, it can stop a lot of hair from making its way down the drain and getting stuck.
Keep the Outside Drains in Check
If you’ve got outdoor drains or a stormwater system, they need love too.
Leaves, twigs, and dirt build up quickly, especially after rain or a big storm. Once they pile up in the drain, they turn to mush and clog everything. Water then backs up or pools where it shouldn’t.
Give your outdoor drains a check every couple of weeks. Rake up leaves and clearing the grates only takes a few minutes but can stop some major headaches.
Before a storm, making your leaves are ranked and out of the gutter can be important.
Know the Early Signs
One of the best ways to save money is to catch a problem early. That means paying attention to:
- Water that drains slower than normal
- Gurgling sounds in your pipes
- Bad smells coming from sinks or showers
- Water bubbling up in other places (like the toilet) when you drain one fixture
If you notice any of that, act early. They are usually signs that something is not right and acting can prevent a full blockage from forming.
Don’t Go Crazy with Drain Cleaner
Drain cleaner is a bit like brushing your teeth.
Some people who want white sparkling teeth might think it’s good to brush for 30 minutes per day. But after a few months, they would soon realise that they are also brushing away their gums and enamel.
They can eat through certain blockages, but they also eat away at your pipes. And if the blockage is made of something they can’t dissolve (like a toy), they won’t help anyway.
When in Doubt, Call Before It Gets Worse
A lot of people wait until there’s water all over the floor before calling a plumber. But if you notice something early, it can be cheaper and easier to get it fixed then.
Even if it’s just a slow drain or a weird smell, we’re happy to take a look and let you know what’s going on.
Blocked drains don’t have to be an emergency. And you don’t need to fork out a lot to prevent them.
With a bit of common sense, a few cheap tools, and some regular attention, you can keep your drains flowing the way they should.
If you’re unsure or think something’s starting to build up, don’t wait until it’s a big issue. Get in touch and we’ll help you get ahead of the problem. You can get a free quote today.
Let’s make plumbing something you’re proud of!
Plumbers Rockhampton 
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