From foreign objects that have been dropped to a thick accumulation of gunk, there are many things that can lead to blocked drains in your home. Knowing what these are can help you avoid them and take preventative measures. 

Items like cotton swabs, sanitary items, and jewelry should not be flushed down the toilet. Even wet wipes, despite being advertised as ‘flushable’, can cause blockages when they absorb water and expand. 

Food Waste 

There’s no sugar coating it – blocked drains are a nightmare. They can result in water pooling, foul odors and even health issues. 

Food waste is a common cause of blocked drains in Melbourne in kitchen sinks and can also happen in bathroom drains. Avoid flushing leftovers or lunch scraps and always use a strainer to catch food debris in your drains. 

It’s best to avoid pouring cooking grease or oils down your drain as well, as these can solidify and create a tough clog. You can try a few home remedies to tackle a greasy drain, such as hot water and vinegar or using a wire hanger, but it’s always a good idea to call in a professional drain cleaner. They’ll have the right tools and experience to fix your drain fast. 

Hair 

Hair is one of the biggest culprits for drain clogs. Every time you wash, brush or comb your hair it falls out and can end up in the sink or shower drains. This is especially true for people with long hair. 

Unfortunately, these shed hairs can clump together to form large, solid blocks that prevent water from passing through the pipes. This can cause a musky, rotten-like smell and may even result in more serious problems down the line, including water leaks and pipe damage. 

To avoid this problem, invest in a drain cover or a hair catcher that fits right over your drain. Also, before you shower or bathe, brush and detangle your hair. This will remove most of the loose hair before it can go down the drain and help prevent a potential clog. 

Grease 

When it comes to kitchen drains, food waste is one of the most common causes of blockages. It is easy to scrape leftovers from meals into the sink and forget about them – but over time these can build up, causing a blockage. 

Toilets are another culprit of blocked drains, mainly due to people flushing items that shouldn’t go down the toilet such as cotton buds, wipes and even small toys. When these types of objects are immersed in water, they absorb and enlarge, blocking access to your pipes and drains.

It is always best to call in a professional when it comes to your drains, as they are qualified to assess the problem and recommend a solution. This will not only ensure that the issue is fixed properly, but also prevents a worsening of your pipe conditions over time. 

Toys 

Toys are a common culprit for clogged drains, especially those little bits that manage to float off the end of a toy train set into your sink and subsequently get stuck on the bottom of the drain. It’s worth putting a bowl or bin in the bathroom so that any wayward toys can go straight into there, rather than risking ending up in the toilet! 

Even those so-called flushable baby wipes are not suitable for plumbing, and should only be disposed of in the bin. They can stick together and also mix with fat, hair, grease, soap residue, sanitary products, and other items that are already in the drain line to create stubborn and often difficult to remove blockages. 

Tree roots are another leading cause of clogged drains, and can be very difficult to clear. It is best to plant trees well away from sewer lines and regularly inspect them for signs of root intrusion. 

Tree Roots 

Tree roots have a tendency to seek out water sources, which is why they are able to infiltrate and exploit any cracks or joints in drain lines and sewage pipes. This is why if you notice slow drainage in multiple household fixtures, including sinks, showers and toilets or a gurgling sound when flushing a toilet, it could be an indication of root intrusion. 

Older piping systems are more susceptible to root penetration as they are often made from clay and are joined with cement that deteriorates over time. It’s also important to be vigilant of the environment around your home and garden, and 

ensure that any trees nearby are healthy and not too close to your sewer pipes. This will help reduce the risk of blockages and costly repairs in future.