Photos By: Stock Images

These are both common signs that you have a problem with your drainage system. Namely, there could be a clog that is causing a blockage. This is not something that will go away on its own. In fact, if you ignore the problem, it is likely to get worse. But a lot of homeowners in South West London are unsure of what they should do when they have a blockage. Should you attempt to fix it yourself with a drain clearing product or call in the professionals and choose a drain unblocking service? Let’s take a look at these options and find out.

Drain Clearing Products

When you have a clogged drain, you just want to get the problem solved as quickly as possible. We have all been there; we want to solve the issue ourselves so that you can get on with your day. You might try to find a drain clearing product in local stores and there is often plenty of options out there. Of course, they promise that they are going to clear your home’s drains and you can think that this is the answer to your prayers. What is even better is that their products are cheap and readily available.

However, you have to remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. This is often the case with drain clearing products that you can find in store. While they might be fine to use on small blockages, they are generally not recommended since they come with a lot of risks. Namely, they contain a lot of chemicals that can be corrosive. This can cause damage to your pipes. There are chemicals that create heat in an attempt to remove the clog and end up melting the pipes in your drainage system.

Let’s not ignore all of the warning signs you see on drain clearing products. There are often logos that capture your attention and warn you that the chemicals are harmful. Well, this is not something you want to ignore. Using these products could mean serious burns and other injuries. Even breathing in the fumes could be dangerous if you are not in a well-unventilated area. While drain clearing products can seem convenient and affordable, they are likely items you do not want to have in a family home.

Drain Unblocking Services

Your next option is to choose drain unblocking services. This is recommended for homeowners that are not sure what is causing the blockage and that do not have knowledge or equipment to clear the clog themselves. Instead, you can call a professional team that will diagnose the problem. They will then decide on the best solution depending on what is going on with your drainage system.

A lot of homeowners try to avoid huge bills when they have a drainage problem. But, there are a lot of cost-effective drain unblocking services out there. You just have to do your research. Remember that you are going to enjoy a professional service and the team has years of experience. No matter how serious or complicated the blockage is, they have the expertise and experience to find the right solution.

Let’s not forget that you can cause further problems with you try to clear a blockage yourself. You can end up damaging the pipes with drain cleaning products, as well as making the blockage worse than it was already. When you use an expert team, this is not going to be a problem you have to worry about. They know what they are doing and will come to your home with all of the right equipment. A lot of reputable companies even offer a guarantee on all work in case there are any issues. This means that you will not have to pay out any more money.

Companies are going to have emergency callout appointments too. This means that if you are in a hurry and you need the blockage cleared quickly, they can make this happen. Often, this is a service that will respond within a few hours. You will not have to endure the bad odour, slow drainage or noisy system any longer than you have to. Thus, it is going to save you a lot of time and hassle if you were thinking about trying to solve the drainage problem by yourself.

Prevention is always better than cure and this statement also applies when it comes to clogged drains. Given below are the most common causes of clogged drains.

Food Particles

The drain should never be considered as an alternative to a garbage disposal bucket or trash can. While some food items in fluid form can be washed down the drain, solid foods should never be given the same treatment.

Households which consume a lot of rice should use strainers or remove leftovers from the plates before they are washed. It might not be a problem initially but you will end up with a clogged drain if you have a habit of discarding food items in the sink.

Hair

Hair is one of the most common causes for clogged drains but also the most neglected. Hair collecting in drains is something we cannot control. But we can stop it before it gets to the point where it can physically clog your drains. Make sure to get a drain stopper for your bathroom. Check the drain for accumulated hair after every shower and remove it periodically. Don’t let it build up.

Sanitary Items

Sanitary items are not meant to be flushed in the toilet. Their physical structure makes it hard for them to be disintegrated or broken down. These items can range from diapers and napkins to tampons and pads. Some kinds of toilet paper can be flushed but not in excessive amounts. It is generally recommended to avoid flushing them anyway. Only biodegradable toilet paper can be properly flushed down the drain. 

Even if diaper and feminine hygiene products claim to be flushable on the packet, you should avoid doing it. They can cause a massive clog in your drain in no time if you practice flushing them on a regular basis.

Dirt, Mud And Sand

Sand, mud and other dirt can make their way down the drain in unexpected ways. This can happen when washing plant pots or other items which have traces of dirt. When dirt or mud goes down your drain it can build up and lead to the clogging of drains. You can use tools like a drain snake for unclogging a drain clogged with dirt or sand.

Haircare And Skincare Products

Many haircare and skincare products contain chemicals which can build up and clog your drain. Hair products like conditioners and hair masks have waxes and oils. If they are present in excessive amounts they can combine with other dirts in the drain to form unnecessary buildup. Although drain clogs due to hair products are less common, skincare products can be a greater concern. Some skincare products, especially dry peels can be a problem.

Leaves, Roots And Twigs

Roots and leaves are usually the unexpected causes of clogs. Most of the time, they are not deliberate. If you live in a house surrounded by trees or have a tree in your backyard, your drain is more susceptible to these kinds of clogs. 

They are usually manifested by gurgling sounds, low water pressure or a sudden drop in the quantity of water coming from your taps. Pipes with leaks tend to attract roots from nearby trees which in turn creep into the pipes and create blocks.

Greasy Liquids

Greasy liquids and fluids can do more damage than you think. We are all well aware of the fact that oil and water do not mix. People dump cooking oils and other greasy liquids down the sink thinking it is going to naturally flow down the pipes along with the water. Rather, it prevents the effective flow of water and blocks the pipes. Clumps of grease will combine with each other and clog your drains.

Random Objects

Apart from the common culprits there can be a number of random objects which might have accidently made their way into the drain. Some people drop objects into the toilet by mistake and flush them instead of retrieving them. 

This crucial mistake could lead to a clogged drain and you will end up losing your time and money. If you have kids, make sure they don’t drop marbles or other small toys into the toilet.

Some clogged drains have simple fixes while some might require professional help. You might be contributing to these causes knowingly or unknowingly. Be aware of these different causes and try to prevent them as much as possible. Clear out your drains periodically to prevent buildup.

Photos By: Unsplash

How to take care of your home is something that most of us learn slowly over the course of many years in our life. This being said, sometimes we need to figure out how to take better care of one aspect of our house because we keep running into the same problems. The following will cover some of the ways you can help prevent your kitchen drain from getting clogged.

Don’t Let Stuff Go Down The Drain

Let’s start with the most obvious solution. If you don’t let food go down the drain, you can minimize the chances of your drain becoming clogged. Using a drain stopper or net to catch little pieces of food is probably the easiest way to do this. As well, make sure that you’re properly scraping your plates and bowls before you take them to the sink for washing. This will also reduce the chances of something sliding down your drain. 

You need to be especially careful with foods that expand when wet, like oatmeal, pasta, or rice. These foods are more likely to cause a clog as they become waterlogged within your plumbing system. Drain stoppers are also handy if you have little ones around that like to stick items into pipes.

Pay Attention To Oils And Grease

Oils and grease can be particularly hard on your plumbing systems. This is because some of them solidify when they cool down. You might think nothing of a little bit of liquid going down your drain, but if that liquid is, let’s say, bacon grease—when cold water goes down the drain at a later time or when the hot water stops, the grease might solidify and coat the inside of your pipes. Over time this could build up and clog the drain. If you feel like this might be the cause of an existing clog or slow-draining kitchen drain, reach out to one of your local plumbing businesses because they have the tools and knowledge to solve the issue. This one is especially difficult to manage because grease and oils can be tricky to notice when they’re floating around in really hot water. 

Give Your Kitchen Drain A Cleaning Every Once And Awhile

You don’t need to be putting harsh chemicals into the sink, a little bit of soda can help loosen any debris that may have gotten into your drain. The carbonation “eats away” at organic build-up, helping your drain stay clear. If you’re the type not to have any soda in your home, even occasionally, you can use a solution of salt, and hot water poured down the drain for similar results. You might want to do this one every month or so. You might have heard of using baking soda and vinegar, but this is not good for your pipes and might accidentally lead to further clogging if the baking soda sticks to grease and builds up within the pipes.

Pay Attention To Fine Grains

When we speak about fine grains, mostly we mean coffee grinds, but anything else of that shape and texture also needs your attention when you’re washing dishes. Since coffee grinds are so small, they aren’t affected by disposers. They can settle into any grease build-up and contribute to clogs. These need your special attention because they are so small that regular drain stoppers might not be able to catch them. You might accidentally be sending far more down your sink than you realize when you rinse out reusable coffee filters in your kitchen sink.

Have A Check-Up Every So Often

If you have a large household (or have lots of guests constantly from running an Airbnb or something like that), the wear and tear on your drains are going to be more severe, not just in your kitchen but throughout your home. You might want to have a professional come to give your drains a good cleaning once every eight months to a year to make sure that there aren’t gradual damages and clogs occurring. With the above tips kept in mind, you are well on your way to caring for your kitchen drains. With a little consciousness and the occasional maintenance, you should be able to enjoy a clog-free drain for years to come. All this being said, the tips above work best on clean drains, to begin with. If you’re already experiencing a clog, these tips will slow down further clogging but won’t tackle the actual existing clog. It’s best to seek out professional help or use a snake or drain cleaning chemical in those cases.