There’s never a good time for a blocked drain. Whether it’s a slow-draining kitchen sink, a backed-up shower, or an overflowing toilet, blocked drains are disruptive, unsanitary, and often costly to fix. What many homeowners don’t realise, however, is that most blockages are completely preventable. With a few simple habits and a bit of routine maintenance, you can avoid the inconvenience and expense of blocked pipes.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about preventing blocked drains, from understanding the common causes to implementing easy, everyday prevention techniques. Whether you own a home, manage a property, or run a business, these tips will help keep your plumbing flowing smoothly.
Understanding What Causes Blocked Drains
Before we get into prevention, it’s helpful to know what typically causes drains to become blocked in the first place. Most blockages form slowly over time as various materials build up inside your pipes. Grease hardens, hair clumps together, tree roots grow through joints, and foreign objects that shouldn’t be flushed end up stuck in the system.
In kitchens, the usual suspects are food scraps, cooking oil, and fats that cool and solidify inside pipes. In bathrooms, hair, soap residue, and wipes are common contributors. Outside, leaves, debris, and invasive tree roots can create major problems in stormwater or sewer drains. Knowing these sources is the first step toward prevention.
Build Better Kitchen Habits
The kitchen sink is one of the most frequently used, and abused, parts of any plumbing system. It’s where fats, oils, and food scraps often find their way into the drain. While it might seem harmless at first, these substances can stick to the inside of pipes, trapping other particles and forming stubborn blockages.
To prevent kitchen drain clogs, avoid pouring grease down the sink. Instead, wipe greasy pans with a paper towel and dispose of it in the bin. For leftover cooking oil, pour it into a container and discard it once solidified. Installing a sink strainer is also a simple but effective way to stop food particles from entering the pipes.
Regularly flushing the drain with boiling water can help clear any minor build-up before it becomes a major problem. For a natural, eco-friendly clean, try a monthly treatment of baking soda followed by vinegar, this creates a fizzing reaction that helps loosen debris.
Keep Bathroom Drains Clear
The bathroom is another hotspot for blocked drains, particularly in showers, sinks, and toilets. Hair is the number one offender in showers and sinks, often combining with soap residue to form sticky clumps. Over time, this can reduce the flow of water and eventually lead to complete blockages.
A practical solution is to use a hair catcher or drain screen in the shower and sink. These inexpensive tools trap hair before it enters the pipes and are easy to clean out. Avoid using excessive amounts of soap or heavy bath products that contain oils, as these can also contribute to build-up.
Toilets are only designed to handle human waste and toilet paper. Many people unknowingly cause blockages by flushing wipes (even the ones labelled “flushable”), sanitary products, cotton pads, or dental floss. These items don’t break down in water and can quickly clog pipes and the wider sewer system. When in doubt, bin it, don’t flush it.
Don’t Forget the Outdoors
Outdoor drains are just as vulnerable to blockages as indoor ones, especially during autumn or after a storm. Leaves, dirt, mulch, and even rubbish can get washed into outdoor drainage systems, creating serious issues if not cleared regularly. If your home is surrounded by trees, it’s worth checking your gutters and grates for blockages frequently.
Tree roots are another major cause of blocked underground pipes. Roots naturally seek out moisture and can grow into cracks or joints in your plumbing, causing significant damage over time. If you’ve noticed slow-draining fixtures or gurgling sounds, and you have large trees nearby, a professional inspection may be needed.
Preventive measures include installing leaf guards on drains and scheduling yearly CCTV drain inspections, especially if you live in an older home or a property with lots of trees. Keeping your stormwater and sewer lines free of obstruction can save you from a major headache down the line.
Teach Your Household Good Drain Etiquette
One of the simplest ways to avoid blocked drains is to make sure everyone in the home or workplace understands what should and shouldn’t go down the drain. Children and guests, in particular, may not be aware of proper drain care. A quick conversation or a reminder sign in the bathroom can go a long way.
If you’re managing a rental property or workplace, provide clear instructions to tenants or staff. This might include reminders about not flushing wipes, scraping plates before rinsing, and reporting slow drains before they become emergencies.
Schedule Preventative Maintenance
Even with the best habits, some build-up is inevitable. That’s why regular preventative maintenance is essential. Just like servicing your car, having a professional inspect and clean your drains can keep everything running smoothly and prevent costly emergency repairs.
At Citywide Plumbing, we offer CCTV drain inspections that allow us to see exactly what’s happening inside your pipes. If we spot an issue, we can address it early, before it turns into a blockage or burst pipe. We also offer high-pressure drain cleaning services to remove stubborn build-up without damaging your plumbing.
Consider having your drains inspected annually, especially if you’ve had issues in the past or your property is older. Prevention is always cheaper than repairs.
What to Do if a Blockage Occurs
Despite your best efforts, sometimes blockages still happen. If you notice slow drainage, water pooling, unpleasant smells, or unusual sounds coming from your pipes, don’t wait, call in a professional. The sooner the problem is addressed, the less likely it is to cause lasting damage.
Avoid using chemical drain cleaners, as these can harm your pipes and the environment. Instead, rely on professional plumbers who use safe and effective tools to clear your drains and diagnose any underlying issues.
Small Habits, Big Difference
Blocked drains can be messy, stressful, and expensive, but with a little effort and the right habits, they’re also highly preventable. By being mindful of what goes down your drains, investing in a few basic tools, and scheduling routine maintenance, you can keep your plumbing in great shape for years to come.
If you need help with a blocked drain, regular inspection, or want peace of mind that your plumbing is running at its best, Citywide Plumbing is here to help. Get in touch with our friendly team today, we’ll get things flowing smoothly again in no time.
