There are many different things that can go down your drains and cause them to become blocked. The best way to prevent this is to be careful about what you put down there in the first place. But, just a reminder, some blockages require a licenced plumber to clear. If you take these simple steps on a regular basis, then you will be able to keep your drains clear and unblocked for years:
Don't pour cooking oils and fats down the drain.
Cooking oils and fats can solidify, blocking drains. You should not pour cooking oil or fat, including animal fat, down the drain.
If you have a grease trap for cooking grease in your kitchen, it is important to keep it clean so that it does not become blocked and cause problems with drainage pipes outside of your home. If you do not have one but are using large amounts of cooking oil for frying foods such as chips (or even if you are boiling potatoes), then an alternative option would be to collect these oils regularly (e.g., once per week) into an old tin can before disposing of them responsibly at home recycling centres (which will vary depending on where in New Zealand you live).
Don't put food scraps down the sink.
Every year, thousands of homeowners in the United States suffer from drain pipe issues. Many of these are caused by food scraps that have been thrown down the sink or garbage disposal. Food waste can cause drains to clog up and can even attract rats and cockroaches who enjoy living in the dark and damp conditions between your kitchen sink pipes.
Don't use caustic soda to unblock your drains or sewers.
Caustic soda is a powerful alkali that can cause damage to pipes and sewers and also cause damage to skin, eyes, and lungs if it splashes on you while you're pouring it down the drain. If you pour caustic soda down a drain, then rinse out with hot water - as recommended in some guides - there's still going to be residue left behind that could block up your drains again in time. And even when you think all of the caustic soda has been rinsed out of the drain, much of it will be left behind in the above-ground pipes, where problems may take even longer to show themselves than they would otherwise have done so.
Use very hot water and detergent to wash dishes.
While you may be tempted to use cold water and minimal detergent, this is actually the worst way to wash dishes. The built-up grime in your drain will only lead to more clogs and back-ups, which can cause serious damage down the road.
Instead, use very hot water and a generous amount of dish soap – about 1 tablespoon for every sink full of plates or pans. If you have a dishwasher (and if you don't have one installed in your kitchen yet, we strongly recommend getting one!), run it through a cycle without any dishes inside just once or twice per month.
Sweep up hair and dispose of it.
Hair is a frequent culprit of blockages, as it can get tangled in the drain trap, drain pipe, or even the drain grate. Hair can also get stuck to any number of other objects around the house. If you find yourself having trouble getting rid of those loose hairs in your bathroom sink and shower drains—and have you tried using a rubber band?—make sure to sweep them up and throw them away (or put them in a pet food bag if you're going to be disposing of them).
Empty and clean cat litter trays regularly.
Your cat’s litter tray is the most important thing you can do for your drain. It is not a good idea to have one of those automatic self-cleaning models because they don’t filter the waste out of the water. They just ‘push it through and out of sight’, so that you don’t have to look at it. But there is no way for your drains to get rid of this stuff if your litter tray isn’t being emptied regularly or being cleaned properly after every use.
Take care when washing your hands and face, especially with exfoliating scrubs.
If you have sensitive skin, avoiding using exfoliating scrubs on your face is best. This is because they are abrasive and can remove the protective layer of skin, which leaves your skin vulnerable to bacteria. It may also cause micro-tears in the skin, allowing bacteria to get in. The result is redness, irritation, and infection.
Don't pour solvents and chemicals down the drain or flush them down the loo.
You should never pour solvents or chemicals down the drain or flush them down the loo, as they can cause serious damage to your pipes and the environment. Solvents and chemicals include cleaning products, paint thinners, and turpentine.
Conclusion
Drains are an essential part of any property but they can quickly become clogged and blocked if you don't take care of them. By following our tips you can prevent this from happening and ensure that your drains are always clear, clean and working properly.