There is nothing that is nastier than a blocked drain. When your drain becomes blocked, the flow of water slows down and dirt starts accumulating at the backup structure such as the sink or bathtub. This can create a serious health hazard, not to mention other losses which may occur if the situation turns into serious water damage. It is therefore important to mind what you are allowing down your drains after you've requested blocked drain clearing.

Feminine hygiene products

Some of the feminine hygiene products which are pushed down the drains are just nasty when they get soaked in water. For instance, products such as tampons and pads, cotton tipped swabs and baby products such as diaper wipes will not go through the system without causing a blockage. When the items accumulate in one part of the pipe, they end up creating a complete plug. Your plumber may even need to cut through the drain pipe to remove it. It is therefore important to make sure that your bathroom has a sanitary bin to make it easier for people to dispose such wastes as they should.

Scum from hard water and soap

Most of the time, drains start clogging when dead skin, hair and other debris start adhering to the scum which forms when soap comes into contact with hard water. One thing that you can do to minimise this is to use softeners to treat your water. In addition, you may want to try cleaning the drain regularly with vinegar or lemon juice as it dissolves the scum and prevents the formation of that gunk which becomes the drain clog.

Grease and food particles

Drains which are located in the kitchen are mostly affected by grease from food and food particles. When you have particles of food like rice, which expands in water, added to the grease and the scum, you get a tough clog to deal with. To prevent this from recurring, always remove solid food from plates before stacking on the sink and after washing, pour hot water down the drain, or use vinegar to prevent the formation of this clog.

These are just a few tips and guidelines which can help you have an easy time dealing with drain clogs in the home. Generally, when you make drain cleaning regular, you are assured that persistent clogs will be a thing of the past. However, for stubborn blockages, contact a competent plumber for a more permanent solution.