Preventing Blocked Drains: Tips for Home and Office
Do you smell something foul whenever you come to the office? Is the sink in your home not draining as it should? These are the classic symptoms of blocked drains. When ignored, these small issues can pile up, leading to unexpected plumbing emergencies.
Blocked drains are one of the most common yet critical plumbing issues. Hair, grease, and food particles can accumulate in the drainage pipes, causing obstruction. As a result, bad odour, slow drainage, and other severe plumbing issues can crop up, requiring costly repairs or replacements.
Understanding the causes of blockages and implementing preventive measures can save time, money, and frustration. As one of the leading plumbing service providers, MPK Plumbing & Civil in the Southern Highlands is the best answer to all your plumbing worries. Our expert team understands the plumbing issue and offers relevant solutions quickly.
We will discuss the cause of blocked drains and how to prevent them in homes and offices.
Causes of Blocked Drains
1. Grease and Oils:
Cooking oils poured down the sink can solidify in pipes, leading to severe blockages.
2. Food Waste:
Scraps from meals, especially greasy or starchy foods, solidify and create blockages.
3. Sanitary Products:
Items like wipes, tampons, and pads are not designed to be flushed.
4. Hair:
Hair strands often combine with soap scum to form blockages.
5. Foreign Objects:
Small items accidentally dropped into drains can obstruct water flow.
6. Mineral Accumulation:
Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium, which accumulate inside pipes, causing obstruction.
Tips for Preventing Blocked Drains at Home
You must have heard, “Prevention is better than cure,” and this is even truer for blocked drains. Instead of using expensive plumbing solutions, it is critical to ensure the blockage doesn’t occur in the first place.
Here are some tips to prevent blocked drains at home:
1. Install Drain Strainers
One of the best preventative measures for keeping blocked drains at bay is to install drain strainers. These handy devices act as barriers and catch unwanted hair, grease, food particles, etc., before they move inside the pipes.
Installing the drain strainer is easy, and one can do it at home by simply following a few instructions, saving costly repairs in the future.
2. Don’t Pour Cooking Oil Down the Drain
Pouring cooking oil down the drain is the most common culprit of drain blockages. It is important to understand that when hot oil enters the pipe, it solidifies and creates a barrier. It solidifies itself and prevents the movement of any other thing that comes down the pipe. Instead, let it cool and pour it into a container to dispose of as trash.
3. Remember the List of Non-Flushable Items
Being aware of what can be flushed and what cannot help reduce blocked drains significantly. Most people flush tampons, condoms, wipes, dental floss, etc., down the toilet.
These items do not break down easily and can lead to severe blockages in the plumbing system. Mitigate this risk by having labelled bins in the bathroom for easy disposal.
4. Opt for a Water Softener
Hard water leads to mineral buildup in pipes, which can eventually cause drain clogging. Installing a water softener resolves this issue by reducing the hardness of the water supply.
Using a water softener has dual advantages—it improves the state of your house’s plumbing system and enhances the lifespan of the appliances that use water.
5. Inspect Drains & Clean Them
Regular inspection and cleaning of your drains are mandatory. Conduct routine checks to identify any signs of slow drainage or unpleasant odours. This will notify you of the issue, and you can take immediate action.
Besides, use household items like baking soda and vinegar to clean the drains.
Tips for Preventing Blocked Drains in Offices
Blocked drains in offices can disrupt daily operations, lead to unpleasant odours, and incur costly repairs. Smooth plumbing and a comfortable atmosphere for employees are important for better productivity.
Here are some practical tips to prevent blocked drains in offices:
1. Create and Implement Strict Waste Management Policies
Establishing strict waste management policies is essential for preventing blocked drains in the office. Firstly, take note of the type of waste generated in order to create and implement a holistic solution.
After that, you need to develop clear guidelines for the disposal of each waste type. Make sure that it complies with local regulations.
2. Spread Awareness & Educate Employees
Implementing policies or other solutions will not work unless you educate your employees on the importance of a hygienic environment. Conduct educational sessions on what items should not go down the drain, such as food particles, grease, and non-flushable items like wipes and paper towels.
Promote a culture of awareness and responsibility and encourage employees to share concerns or suggestions regarding waste management practices.
3. Use Drain Covers
Another simple yet effective preventative measure is to use drain covers in your office. These covers essentially act as barriers that prevent debris such as food particles, hair, and other foreign objects from entering the drainage system. However, you must regularly clean and empty the covers to ensure they continue to work effectively.
4. Monitor Outdoor Drains
Outdoor drains, especially in commercial buildings, can quickly become blocked with leaves, dirt, and other debris. That is why it is crucial to keep an eye on them and schedule regular cleaning to avoid obstruction to the water flow.
Also, make a note to clean outdoor drains before heavy rainfall or storms to prevent flooding and potential damage to the property.
5. Schedule Maintenance Checks
If you are eager to keep the office drains unblocked, you must schedule periodic maintenance checks. Here, opting for professional plumbing services is essential.
During these checks, plumbers can easily identify early signs of wear or potential blockages, allowing for timely interventions before issues escalate. A proactive approach ensures the long-term health of your office’s plumbing system.
MPK Plumbing & Civil: Your Trustworthy Plumbing Partner
Understanding common causes of blockages and implementing practical strategies aids in reducing the risk of plumbing issues. It is important to understand that preventing blocked drains is essential for maintaining the functionality and hygiene of both environments.
At MPK Plumbing & Civil, we provide top-quality blocked drain plumbing in the Southern Highlands. Our team of licensed and certified plumbers are ready to help you resolve all your plumbing problems.
To learn more about our plumbing services in the Southern Highlands, you can email or fill out the form.