Every homeowner’s nightmare is coming back home to find a blocked drain that has caused a huge mess. Unfortunately, drainage problems frequently plague homes in Bedford, and it is crucial to understand reasons why as homeowners or prospective buyers. Being conversant with these causes will enable faster identification, solution, and potential prevention of the problem. This article will highlight the top reasons for blocked drains in Bedford homes.
1. Tree Roots: Huge trees that give Bedford its beautiful landscape can be a menace to the sewer blocked drains bedford system. Tree roots are naturally drawn towards sewer lines due to the moisture. They penetrate via small openings in the pipe and grow, causing severe obstructions. A small root can rapidly become a massive one that fully blocks or even damages the pipe.
2. Grease and Fat: Grease, fats, and oils are some of the most common culprits behind blocked drains. When washed down the sink, these substances harden as they cool, sticking to the pipe’s walls and gradually accumulating other waste materials. Over time, this build-up becomes significantly large, blocking the drain.
3. Hair: Hair is another common blocker of pipes. As strands of hair flow down the drain, they bind with sticky substances, forming clumps that get lodged within the pipes, causing blockage. Hair falls off during showers and washing; the more often you rinse, the more hair ends up down the drain.
4. Non-disposable Sanitary Products: While some people may be tempted to flush sanitary items such as diapers, tampons, and wet wipes, these products are not designed to break down like toilet paper. Instead, they end up blocking the drain when they become stuck in the pipe.
5. Toilet Paper Build-up: Speaking of toilet paper, while it is designed to break down in the drain, excessive use can lead to clogs. Large wads of toilet paper can fail to break down and move along the system properly, resulting in a blockage.
6. Damaged Pipes: In certain cases, the problem lies not with what goes into the drain but with the drain pipe itself. Broken, cracked, or collapsed pipes due to soil movement, extreme weather conditions, or old age can lead to severe drainage issues.
7. Food Waste: Many homeowners habitually wash food waste down the sink without realizing this can cause blockages. Hard food substances, like coffee grounds or eggshells, or fibrous food materials like corn husks can get stuck in the pipes, leading to blockages.
8. Bathroom products: Things like soap, toothpaste, and skincare products can accumulate within pipes over time, blocking the drain. Soap, in particular, combines with minerals found in water to form soap scum, a hard residue that sticks to the insides of pipes, causing blockages.
In conclusion, understanding why blocked drains occur in Bedford homes is the first step towards preventing and effectively dealing with the problem. Regular maintenance checks and sensible practices like not flushing non-disposable items or grease down the sink can go a long way in ensuring free-flowing drains. When the inevitable blocked drain does occur, don’t hesitate to contact a professional plumber to have the issue sorted efficiently and effectively.