Why Your Bathroom Drain Keeps Blocking (And How to Prevent It)

It’s 6’o o’clock in the morning.

You’re getting ready for work and brushing your teeth. After your turn of the tap, you leave the bathroom. But 5 minutes later, you realise that water from the tap is still sitting in the sink.

It’s not the most convenient way to start the morning. But can be all too relatable.

Bathroom drain blockages are really common issues, in Queensland and generally. Drains are supposed to get rid of the water. So when it’s not doing that, you can wonder “What’s actually going on?” or “Why does your bathroom drain keep blocking up?”

Let’s uncover some common reasons.

Hair and… more

Hair down the drain can cause blockages. It gets tangled with soap scum and builds a nest down there. Over time, the web of hair interrupts the flow of water and eventually stops it altogether. Then you have a blockage.

But it’s not just hair.

Even toothpaste and soaps can all leave residues in your pipe that add up. Every time you wash up, little bits of gunk head down the pipe and can cling to the sides. Over time, it starts narrowing the pipe and trapping more debris. 

Your Drain Wasn’t Designed for That

Drains are meant to take waste away from your house. But a bathroom drain wasn’t made to take the brunt of everything we throw at it. 

Bathroom plumbing is generally narrower than what’s under your kitchen sink. Many people throw paper towels, cotton swabs, floss, and ‘flushable wipes’ down the drain. However, these things are prone to getting stuck in the narrow drain.

Dodgy Renovations Can Be to Blame

Here’s where it gets spicy. Some bathroom renos look amazing on the outside. They can have shiny tiles, flash tapware, and a new vanity but behind the scenes, the plumbing might be a dog’s breakfast. 

If the pipes were incorrectly sized or laid in the wrong direction, it can come back to bite you. Water won’t flow the way it should, and blockages can be a problem.

Hard Water and Build-Up

In some parts of Queensland, taps get pumped with hard water. That just means the water has a higher mineral content. So in your glass of water, you’ll have more calcium, magnesium, and more.

Over time, these minerals leave deposits inside your pipes. These deposits can slowly build up creating what’s known as limescale. Limescale can reduce your water pressure as the flow is decreased, or even completely stop the water flowing.

If you’ve noticed chalky white stains or crust on your tap, it could be a sign of hard water. It’s not going to destroy your pipes overnight, but it makes them narrower with time.

Bathroom Products You’re Using Could Be Worsening It

Products designed for the bathroom can even contribute to blockages. 

We’ve already spoken about how some soaps, especially bar soaps, can leave behind residues in your pipes. But other products such as bath salts can cause blockages. Some salts can only partially dissolve and then get caught in the drain.

From there, they can help other debris get trapped as well.

But Here’s the Thing…

I’m not going to give you a list of chemical drain cleaners or tell you to go shoving coat hangers down your pipes. The reason is that if you do it wrong, it can cause some problems. For example, overusing drain cleaners can eventually also degrade PVC pipes.

But here’s some tips to prevent it from happening:

• Keep an eye on how long it takes your water to drain. If it starts slowing down, don’t ignore it.
• Consider using liquid soap instead of bar soap
• Use a proper, well-fitted hair catcher and clean it often.
• Get renovations done by an experienced plumber that someone can vouch for
• And if you’re in Rocky and you’re on a septic system, take this seriously. A blocked drain in the septic pipe can cause overflows and serious health issues.

It’s easy to ignore a slow drain until it becomes a disaster. Your bathroom can look amazing, however a plumbing issue can damage that. It is much easier to treat a blocked drain than the damage that it can cause.

Especially if the blockage is affecting the entire house or is recurring, it’s best if you get a professional to take a look. You can get a free, no-obligation quote here and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Let’s make plumbing something you’re proud of!