When it comes to household inconveniences in Stevenage, blocked drains surely rank high on the list. Unpleasant odours, slow-draining water, and potential pipe damage make drain blockages something every homeowner wants to avoid. Understanding the common causes of blocked drains can help you manage, and hopefully prevent, this unfortunate event.
Here are the top 10 causes of blocked drains in Stevenage:
1. Hair: One of the most common causes of drain blockages is hair. It can bind with grease and other sticky substances, thereby forming clogs in your pipes. Regular clean up and filtering can help to prevent hair-related clogs.
2. Soap: Traditional soap bars are made with fat or grease. These ingredients combine with minerals in water, leaving behind a hard residue known as soap scum. Soap scum can stain bath fittings, and more notably, create substantial blockages in your pipes.
3. Food Waste: Flicking food remnants down the blocked drains stevenage sink while washing dishes might seem harmless but can often lead to extensive blockages. This is especially true for grease and oil, which solidify within the pipes, causing significant backup.
4. Tree Roots: When living in a green area like Stevenage, one must take into account tree roots infiltrating and blocking your drain pipes. They grow into pipes, causing them to crack from the pressure, resulting in serious blockage.
5. Dirt: You might think that washing dirt off your clothes or body down the drain is not harmful. However, too much dirt can result in mud, which sticks to the inside of your pipes, thus causing blockages.
6. Small Objects: Little household objects such as toys, toothpaste caps, or bottle tops can easily get flushed down toilets or dropped into sinks. These objects can quickly lead to substantial drain blockages.
7. Toilet Paper Build-up: Surprisingly, excessive use of toilet paper is a common cause of toilet drain blockage. People often flush down more than their toilet can handle, causing toilet paper to build up in the pipes.
8. Mineral Build-up: Minerals dissolved in hard water can precipitate out and build up on the insides of pipes, causing insidious drain blockages. Water softeners can remedy this problem.
9. Poor Plumbing: Sometimes it’s not the waste going down your drains, but the way your pipes are laid that causes blockages. Incorrect pipe installation can cause consistent blockages and backups.
10. Bad Habits: Simple habits such as flushing wipes, sanitary items, and nappies down the toilet can also contribute to blocked drains. These items are not designed to break down and can cause immediate blockages.
In conclusion, be aware of what you put down your drains. Regular maintenance and a little bit of foresight can go a long way. However, in the instance of unavoidable clogging circumstances in Stevenage, it is always advised to call professional plumbers who can effectively unblock your drains, ensuring an efficient, smooth-running drainage system.