Residential homes throughout Australia can experience a variety of plumbing problems, both inside the home or even out in the yard. One of the most common issues with home plumbing is that of blocked drains. A blocked drain can not only be annoying but can also lead to water damage in the home, something you will want to avoid at all costs. This guide will be focusing on blocked drains, the common causes, how to prevent drains from getting clogged, as well as solutions to getting those drains unblocked and keeping them that way. What Are the Common Causes Of a Blocked Drain? There are numerous ways drains within the home can become clogged, where water seeps away slowly or the drain becomes completely blocked. Let’s look at some of the more common reasons why this happens in various parts of the house.   Kitchen Drains Many things can cause of blocked drain in the kitchen. For starters, so many small particles of food continually get flushed down the kitchen sink every time the dishes are washed. If you’re in the habit of pouring used oil down the kitchen drain, this sticks to the sides of the pipes and allows debris to adhere to it. Eventually this debris builds up to cause a blockage.   Bathroom Drains Unlike the kitchen, bathroom drains accumulate a different type of debris. Soap scrum, residue from shampoo and conditioners and other personal care items can cause a problem but it’s often the accumulation of hair that does the real damage in the bathroom sink, bathtub or shower cubicle.   Drains In the Laundry The most common cause of blocked drains in the laundry is the lint and soil from clothing when it’s either put through the washing machine or soaked in the tub. Sometimes, people also leave scraps of paper and other things in their pockets that might find their way into the drainage system.   Blocked Toilets If anything other than human waste and toilet paper gets flushed down the toilet, you can eventually expect to encounter blocked toilet problems; something you absolutely don’t want to experience. Common culprits are sanitary napkins, paper towel, wet wipes or other materials that don’t readily degrade.   Blocked Drains Outdoors If you experience a blocked drain somewhere out in the yard, it could be a result of everything mentioned above, but accumulating further along the pipe network. Another common offender outdoors are tree roots. Tree roots seek out water sources and drains can provide that. If a root penetrates a pipe, it will lead to a blockage.   If You Have a Blocked Drain, Call a Plumber If a drain seems to be suffering from only a mild blockage, you could go out and purchase a plunger from your hardware store and see if that frees up the block, or even try a home drain cleaner. More often than not though, the problem will need to be resolved by an experienced plumber. When one of the drains in the home becomes blocked, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly where the blockage has occurred or what’s actually caused the drain to become clogged. Plumbers are trained and very experienced in dealing with the common blocked drain problem and will be able to ascertain exactly what’s happened, where and why. One handy tool in the plumber’s arsenal is the CCTV camera, which can be used to inspect drains to locate debris, as well as being fed down a drain after a blockage has been cleared to ensure the drain is now totally free of debris. Another reason a particular drain could be experiencing clogging problems is damage to the pipework, especially if you’re living in an older home. Pipes, like anything else, become worn out over time and can even develop cracks that could cause debris to catch or lead to a water leak. Your plumber can inspect the pipe network in your home to ascertain whether any of the pipes need repairing or replacing to prevent blockages and water leaks. If an outdoor pipe has suffered tree root damage, that pipe will definitely need to be repaired or replaced by a licensed plumber. Your plumber will also be able to offer you advice on keeping your drains blockage-free. You won’t want to take chances with blocked drains or toilets, as serious water damage inside the home can be the end result.   What Can You Do To Prevent Blocked Drains? One of the best things you can do for your home and your own peace of mind is to book in for regular plumbing inspections and maintenance. Prevention is always better than cure and having your plumber periodically inspect your home’s plumbing system will ensure everything remains in top working condition. There are things members of the household can also do to prevent blocked drains from occurring or reoccurring. The number one priority is to make certain not to flush debris down the drains as much as possible. While you might not be able to avoid every tiny food scrap from going down the kitchen sink or every single hair from washing down a bathroom drain, if you use common sense and refrain from flushing obvious debris down the drains or pouring oil down the kitchen sink, you’ll be able to avoid many drainage problems in the future. It can be a good idea to purchase that household plunger and periodically go around the home plunging the drains and the toilets to prevent a build up of foreign substances. You can even formulate some natural, homemade drain cleaners to help keep your drains clean. A mixture of half baking soda and half vinegar creates an effective drain cleaner. It can resolve minor blockages as well as keeping the drains clear.   Always Count On a Professional Licensed Plumber A plumber is your home’s best friend when it comes to drainage and all things plumbing related. Have the number of a plumber that you can count on handy at all times and if you’re experiencing slow or blocked drains, don’t hesitate to call them.