Clogged Drains and Simple Ways To Prevent Them

It seems that drains find the worst possible time to clog. For instance, when guests are staying at your house, during festive holidays or the toilet blocks up during a party. Even though it might not be possible to prevent every emergency plumbing, a few of the methods explained in this blog will certainly go a long way in helping you prevent blocked drains and needing plumbing company in London to come out.

 Act Before Getting A Blocked Drain 

If you notice your drains are getting blocked, then you should callout an emergency plumbing company to take a look at your gutters. 

A plumbing company will be able to quickly identify a blockage by running a camera down a scoping line to identify the issue. Scoping involves a visual inspection through the use of a remote camera which follows the drainage line to find the blockage.

If your drains have clogged during the night, find a 24-hour plumbing company to identify the issue by ‘scoping’ the line.

 Possible issues might include the entrance of tree roots via the tile clay joints, a drain pipe could have collapsed, or rotten cast iron which might be allowing the soil to enter the drain pipe and form blockages. It is worth hiring a 24-hour plumber in London to spot and fix the root cause, instead of struggling with consistent sewer-cleaning expenses and sewer backups. 

Equip Your Washing Machine Hose With A Lint Catcher: 

Often, fabrics, lint, facial tissues, and less often socks, can slip by the drain hose and create problems in the drain. Very quickly, these small items can create a situation where you might have to turn to an emergency plumbing service to sort the problem.

 To prevent such an emergency from manifesting, you can place a lint trap towards the drain hose’s end. A good option would be to purchase lint traps made of mesh and put the lint trap near the discharge hose. A reputable plumbing company will readily stock lint catchers that are available in different sizes. You can also install lint traps in your bathroom sinks, bath, shower, kitchen sink, and garden drains. Traps are usually available from 24-hour plumbing companies. Remember to keep checking the lint trap and cleaning it when you find dirt. 

Make Use Of Bacteria:

Usually, an organic matter that goes down the sink is the culprit for a clogged drain - be it food, grease, or hair. Many emergency plumbing companies make use of a particular type of bacteria, capable of breaking down the organic matter present in drains. Once added, the bacteria will eat up the organic matter and clear any clogs. Such bacteria are available in both liquid and granular forms. 

What makes this bacteria so popular within 24-hour plumbing companies is its non-corrosive nature, which prevents it from damaging pipes. Moreover, this bacteria will not interact with the bacteria already present in the septic mechanism. If you are not employing the services of a 24-hour plumber London, make sure to carefully read and follow the instructions given on the bacteria package. Add this bacteria when the drains are free, for instance, once everyone in your house is asleep. The longer you leave the bacteria, the more effective it can be against any potential blockages. 

Don’t Dump Grease - Collect It: 

Any 24-hour plumber London will tell you that grease is one of the worst items to be poured down a drain. Warm grease travels down the drain until cooling inside the pipe, after which it freezes and forms a clog. The clog will then create a blockage along the pipes and the next thing you know, other items get stuck behind it, and you have a severe clog on your hands, demanding the services of emergency plumbing services. So, the simple solution - do NOT pour any oil or grease down your drain. What you can instead do is collect the fat in a bottle or jar, and, once that jar or bottle fills, chuck it in the wastebasket. Or, if you are fond of using leftover grease for cooking, you can purchase one of the many containers made to salvage grease before reusing it.

 As far as a clogged drain is concerned, prevention is undoubtedly better than cure. The tips, as mentioned above, will help you follow this advice in effortless and cost-effective ways.