With the increasing number of homes going up each year in Twickenham, concerns over maintaining healthy drainage systems have skyrocketed. Blocked drains can lead to severe complications, such as leaks, mould growth, structural damage, and many more. Undoubtedly, it’s crucial for residents to understand the leading causes of blocked drains in Twickenham homes to improve their plumbing systems and save costly repair bills down the road.
1. Hair, Soap and Other Solid Debris: One of the top causes of blocked drains is the build-up of hair, soap, and other solid debris in your pipes. Whether we realise it or not, every time we take a shower, shave or wash our dishes, such wastes gradually make their way down our pipes. Over time, they tend to accumulate, eventually causing a slow or full blockage.
2. Food Waste: Kitchen sinks suffer greatly from the improper disposal of food waste. Greasy or fibrous materials such as oils, eggshells and coffee grounds can stick to the pipe walls or form large lumps, causing obstructed drainage.
3. Tree Roots: Twickenham is noted for its lush greenery, but the extensive tree roots are a silent agent of blockage in your drain pipes. They can infiltrate sewer lines, slowly choking the flow of wastewater. Even small cracks and holes in your sewer line become the entry points for tree roots, leading to immense blockage.
4. Heavy Rainfall and Storms: Twickenham experiences its fair share of rainfall and storms each year. These weather conditions can overrun the drainage system, causing an overflow. This surface water has nowhere to drain and thus, blocks the system.
5. Incorrect Pipe Installation: Surprisingly, blocked drains often arise from internal faults such as poorly fitted pipes. If your drain pipes have not been correctly installed, it can lead to pipe misalignment, causing water to pool and create a blockage over time.
6. Toilet Paper Build-Up: Excessive use and flush of toilet paper or non-dissolvable paper products can form a significant blockage in your pipes. These materials fail to break up and easily lodge within your drainage system.
7. Foreign Objects: Lastly, the accidental or deliberate flushing of objects such as toys, nappies, feminine products, among others, can immediately block drains. They don’t converge with the sewage system since they are non-dissolvables and end up obstructing the pipes.
Recognising the causes of blocked drains twickenham blocked drains is just the first step; the critical part is taking preventive measures. Keep a cover or screen over your plugs to trap hair and other debris. Dispose of your food waste properly, avoiding the habit of using your drain as a secondary bin. Opt for regular maintenance checks to catch early signs of tree root infiltration, and during heavy rainfall, ensure your drains are clear and free flowing. If you have doubts about the quality of your pipe installation, have it checked by a professional.
In conclusion, blocked drains in Twickenham can become a thing of the past if homeowners become proactive. Awareness and timely actions go a long way in maintaining long-term health and efficiency of your plumbing systems.