You probably do not realise just how important the drains in your home are, until you have a problem with them. They are just there working away. But, then there comes a time when the water is not clearing from your sink or shower, or when the toilet does not clear when you flush it. So why does this happen and what should you do when it does?

The first thing to say is that it’s not uncommon for drains to become blocked. In the majority of cases, clearing the blockage is fairly straightforward, and there is nothing major to worry about. Let’s take a look at why drains become blocked, and how you can solve the problem.

Blockages in sinks and showers

If the water is not clearing from the sink or shower as it should, there is likely to be a blockage somewhere along the drains. In the kitchen, food particles and grease get washed down the drain and bind together to form a blockage. The same thing happens in the bathroom, except the obstruction is usually made up from soap scum, hair, and dead skin.

The easiest way to remove the blockage is to pour boiling water down the drain; you should not do this if the drains are made from plastic. If this does not work, you should use a plunger. Remember to ensure that the plunger is well sealed on top of the sink or shower outlet before you plunge firmly several times.

Blockages in toilets

Plungers also come in useful to remove toilet blockages. These are caused when something is flushed that really should not be. This can be something as simple as an excess amount of toilet paper. Obviously, you cannot leave the toilet blocked, so you need to use a plunger to resolve the problem. You may want to invest in a drain snake if the plunger does not work. This enables you to access further down the drain.

Prevent blockages from happening

Of course, the easiest way to resolve problems with blockages is to stop them from going on in the first place. There are a few simple steps you may find useful.

    • Use drain guards in your home.
    • Make sure debris is removed from dishes and pans before you wash them.
    • Clean sinks and showers regularly, especially around drain outlets.
    • Do not flush bulky items down the toilet.

All of these points are just common sense. But it’s easy to forget simple things sometimes. If you use these tips, you should be able to limit the number of drain blockages you encounter.

As you can see, blocked drains can often be prevented, but they are still fairly common. If you are having problems with a blocked drain, hopefully, our advice can help. If you are having problems removing the blockage, call a plumber in Sydney. They will investigate the situation and solve the problem for you.