Most blocked drains are caused by everyday waste that builds up over time, such as fat, food scraps, hair, soap and wet wipes. Outside, leaves and dirt are common culprits. Less often, damaged pipes or tree roots can be involved in underground drains.
Kitchen Waste: Fat, Oil, Grease and Food
Fat, oil and grease are a major cause of kitchen blockages. They may look like liquid when hot, but they cool and harden inside pipes. Thames Water explains that fats, oils and grease poured down the sink cause blockages in drains and sewers.
Food waste adds to the problem. Rice, pasta, coffee grounds and small scraps can stick to greasy pipe walls and slowly narrow the space for water. Scraping plates into the bin and using a sink strainer can make a real difference.
Bathroom Waste: Hair, Soap and Wipes
In bathrooms, hair is the usual cause of slow basins, baths and showers. It tangles with soap residue to form a sticky mass near the plughole or trap. Over time this can stop water draining almost completely.
Wet wipes are another common problem, even those labelled as flushable. They do not break down like toilet paper and can catch on joints or bends. Sanitary items, cotton buds and dental floss can cause similar trouble and are best put in the bin.
Limescale and Build-Up Inside Pipes
In hard water areas, limescale can form inside pipes and traps. On its own it may only narrow the pipe a little. However, its rough surface gives grease, soap and hair something to cling to, so blockages can form more easily.
This kind of build-up tends to happen slowly. You may notice water draining a bit more slowly over weeks or months before it stops.
Outside Drains, Gullies and Underground Pipes
Outside gullies are open to the weather. Leaves, soil, moss and litter can collect in the grid and the trap below. A gully that is not cleared from time to time can overflow during heavy rain.
Underground drains can sometimes be affected by tree roots or damaged pipes. Roots may find their way into small cracks or loose joints, and a cracked or sunken pipe can catch waste. These problems are less common than everyday blockages, and they cannot be confirmed from one symptom alone. A slow drain is much more often caused by waste than by roots.
If you are dealing with a blockage that will not shift, our page on blocked drain clearance in Swindon explains the sinks, baths, showers, waste pipes and outside drains we can help with.
Small habits help prevent many blockages. Bin fat once it has cooled, catch hair with a plughole cover and keep outside gullies clear of leaves.
If a drain at your home or business is blocked or slow, call Emergency Plumber Swindon on 01793 569521. We help people across Swindon get their drains flowing again.