Drain Unblocking Services by Herne Drains

Here are the top ten things that can cause blocked drains, which can be a real nuisance, especially if they lead to water damage in your home.

1. Fat can block your drains

You might have seen stories in the news about “fatbergs.” These are giant lumps of fat that can clog entire sewers and cost water companies thousands to break up each year. Not long ago, there was a 15-tonne lump of fat the size of a bus in a sewer below London that took two weeks to break up. Quite often, the fat doesn’t make it to the sewer; it sticks to the edges of the drains in your home instead and slowly builds up until it blocks everything else. Always scrape greasy frying pans and roasting tins out as much as possible before putting them into the sink or dishwasher; this will help prevent your drains from becoming clogged by fat.

2. Baby Wipes can cause drain blockages

Baby wipes are disposable, and while they might be used to clean up messes, they are a nightmare for drains. They stick together easily, so even if you flush one at a time, they’ll soon clump together with anything else lingering in the drain, like the fat we mentioned above. This can lead to serious drain blockages. Invest in a lidded bin for disposing of baby wipes to do your drains a favour!

3. Hair can clog your drains

Most people are aware that hair can cause clogs, often at the plug hole of your shower or bath. We often don’t realize how much hair goes down the drain, but it adds up quickly. Paired with soap and other products, it can form a gooey, hairy lump. You can sometimes remove this just by pulling it back up through the plug hole, but often it travels further down the drain, requiring professional drain cleaning. If you have long hair, brush it before showering to remove loose hairs and consider investing in a hair catcher for your plug hole; it could save you a fortune on drain repairs down the line.

4. Food Scraps can cause blocked drains

We’re not accusing you of shoving all of your food waste down the sink; however, it doesn’t take much to clog a drain. The odd piece of pasta can do more damage than you might think. Many foods are porous, especially carbs like pasta and rice, which can soak up water and expand, leading to a blocked drain. Be cautious when scraping food waste from plates and pans to avoid future drain unblocking issues.

5. Expensive Toilet Paper can block drains

Yes, we know it looks cute and luxurious with the pictures of fluffy animals on it, but using multi-ply toilet paper can mean you end up putting twice as much paper down your drain as necessary. People rarely adjust the amount they pull off the roll for thicker toilet paper, leading to potential drain blockages.

6. Bath Salts can cause drain blockages

You might think that bath salts dissolve in water, but many don’t fully dissolve. In a full tub, you may not notice lumps lingering, but they can get caught on debris already in your drain, gradually causing a blockage. Bubble bath is less likely to cause issues since it’s already a liquid.

7. Children’s Toys can cause blocked drains

Small toy pieces often get lost in the bath or sink and can end up causing blocked drains. These toys can get caught in debris already partially clogging the drain, leading to significant issues that may require drain unblocking services.

8. Coffee can clog drains

While instant coffee dissolves completely, ground coffee does not and can be a nuisance to dispose of. Many people rinse coffee grounds down the drain, leading to a build-up over time, especially in piping corners, contributing to blocked drains. Always ensure you dispose of grounds in the bin.

9. Cotton Buds often cause blocked drains

It’s surprising how often people think cotton buds belong down the drain. These small items can quickly combine with other debris to create a significant blockage. Their plastic sticks can get stuck in the corners of pipes, making them difficult to remove.

10. Soap can lead to drain blockages

While you might think old-fashioned bars of soap cause more issues, liquid soap can be problematic too. People often use more liquid soap than needed, which can slide down the plug hole and combine with other debris, creating a sticky blockage. Discarded toothpaste lumps can cause similar problems.

If your drains keep getting blocked, consider a CCTV drains survey to identify the issue. When you’re struggling with baths and sinks that are slow to empty, it’s better to address these problems sooner rather than later. 

For persistent drain issues, get in touch with Herne Drains. Our high-pressure water jets can effectively handle drain unblocking, ensuring your home remains free from water damage.