Is there gurgling coming from the bath? Bathroom sink draining slowly? A stinky smell coming from the kitchen sink? Chances are you’ve got a blocked drain.

Got a blocked drain? Unfortunately, you can’t just cross your fingers and hope it goes away. Chances are, the problem will only get bigger, not smaller.

So what should you do? Well, the first step is to grab a plunger and see if that clears up the blockage. If that doesn’t work, the problem could be quite a bit bigger than a build-up of hair in the plughole.

Here are five of the top reasons why drains get blocked.

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Foreign Objects or Debris Are Stuck In The Pipe

Typically, drains get blocked due to foreign objects obstructing the flow of water. Once an obstruction begins to build up, it may cause other smaller items to get caught up in it too, leading to a blocked drain. Common causes of obstruction include:

• Hair
• Grease build-up
• Food items
• Toiletries
• Foreign objects

Broken pipes and/or a bad pipe installation can lead to obstruction as well. These may cause holes in the pipe system allowing foreign items like dirt and debris or a tree’s root system to enter the plumbing work and wreak havoc on the natural flow of water. This can even lead to a blocked stormwater drain

Heavy Rains or Storms

A flash flood or storm causes a torrent of water rushing through the drainage system. If the gutters haven’t been cleaned for a while, all the leaf matter and soil build-up are flushed through the pipes at the same time. This can cause a blocked stormwater drain.

Stormwater pipes are not designed to handle large quantities of water, so they often block up after a big rain. A blocked stormwater drain can lead to flooding and property damage, so it pays to get your gutters cleaned on a regular basis. Hate cleaning gutters? Find a tradie to help you out here.

Broken pipes

A broken pipe will stop water flowing freely, and the build-up of water might cause the drain to collapse completely. Broken pipes are commonly caused by poor installation, age and tree roots. Tree roots can cause enormous damage to your pipes. If you’ve got a tree with invasive roots, it might be time to get it looked at. Read our guide to getting council permission to remove a tree.

Blockages in underground pipes need an extensive investigation to identify where the problem is, so not surprisingly, it’s expensive and, depending on where the problem lies, can be very disruptive. Some plumbers will charge for a quote in a job like this, so make sure you find out how much your plumber will charge per-hour before you get them on site.

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Incorrect pipe installation

Poorly installed plumbing and drainage pipes are a legacy of the boom in DIY. Badly installed pipes can become misaligned or can even collapse, leading to damage in both yours and your neighbours’ properties. Professional plumbers know what pipes need to go where and how to lay a plumbing system correctly. So even if it looks easy on the TV, think twice before attempting it yourself.

Water Flow

Drainage is all about gravity. Incorrect pipe installation with inadequate falls leads to the build-up of particles and debris which eventually results in blocked drains.

To ensure water flows correctly it is essential that pipes are installed correctly. This will require a professional touch, so be sure to find a licensed plumber who can handle the job. A licensed professional will understand how to install the pipes and at what sloping grade, to ensure water flows naturally down and away, to help prevent the accumulation of debris or the back-up of water that can ultimately lead to blocked drains in the future.
Do you think one of these issues relates to the blocked drain in your house?