Blocked drains are one of the most common plumbing problems, and one of the easiest to prevent. Most blockages build up slowly from everyday substances that shouldn’t go down drains. Here’s how to avoid them.
Kitchen Drain Prevention
The kitchen is the biggest culprit for blocked drains. Three main offenders:
Grease and Oil
The problem: Grease, oil, and fat solidify as they cool. Pouring them down the sink coats your pipes and traps other debris, gradually narrowing the pipe until water can’t flow.
Prevention:
- Never pour grease, oil, or fat down the sink
- Let it cool in a container, then bin it
- Wipe greasy pans with kitchen paper before washing
- Run hot water for 30 seconds after washing dishes to help flush residual grease
Food Waste
The problem: Even small food scraps accumulate and cause blockages. Coffee grounds are particularly bad because they clump together.
Prevention:
- Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps
- Scrape plates into the bin before washing
- Never put coffee grounds, rice, pasta, or eggshells down the drain
- If you have a waste disposal unit, use it sparingly and always run cold water while operating it
Soap Scum
The problem: Bar soap combines with minerals in hard water (common in Teesside) to form soap scum that coats pipes.
Prevention:
- Use liquid soap rather than bar soap where possible
- Flush the sink with hot water regularly
- Consider a water softener if you have very hard water
Bathroom Drain Prevention
Bathrooms have their own set of drain problems, mostly around hair and soap.
Hair
The problem: Hair binds with soap and grease to create stubborn clogs in shower and bath drains.
Prevention:
- Use a hair catcher in the shower and bath (cheap and effective)
- Clean the hair catcher after every few showers
- Brush hair before showering to remove loose strands
- Run hot water for 30 seconds after every shower
Soap Scum and Toiletries
The problem: Soap residue, shampoo, and conditioner build up over time. Add hair to the mix and you have a blockage.
Prevention:
- Flush drains with hot water weekly
- Use a drain maintenance product (enzymatic cleaners, not harsh chemicals) monthly
- Avoid thick, oily hair products if possible
Toilets
The problem: Toilets are designed to handle human waste and toilet paper. Nothing else.
Prevention:
- Never flush wet wipes (even “flushable” ones), cotton buds, sanitary products, or nappies
- Use toilet paper sparingly
- If you have low-flush toilets, avoid using excess paper
Outdoor Drain Prevention
Outdoor drains handle rainwater, but they’re vulnerable to leaves, dirt, and roots.
Leaves and Debris
The problem: Autumn leaves, dirt, and garden debris block gullies and drains, causing water to back up.
Prevention:
- Clear leaves from drains and gullies regularly (especially in autumn)
- Use drain covers to prevent debris entering
- Trim overhanging branches that drop leaves onto drains
- Check gullies after heavy rain
Tree Roots
The problem: Tree roots grow into drains seeking water, causing cracks and blockages.
Prevention:
- Avoid planting trees close to drains (roots can extend 3x the tree’s height)
- If you have trees near drains, get a CCTV drain survey every few years to check for root intrusion
- If roots are a problem, consider root barriers or removing the tree
Gutters
The problem: Blocked gutters overflow, dumping water and debris into drains.
Prevention:
- Clean gutters twice a year (spring and autumn)
- Install gutter guards to reduce debris buildup
- Check downpipes are clear and flowing freely
Warning Signs of a Developing Blockage
Catch blockages early and they’re easier to fix:
Slow drainage: Water draining slower than usual means a partial blockage.
Gurgling sounds: Air trapped by the blockage causes gurgling from drains or toilets.
Bad smells: Food waste, grease, or hair decomposing in pipes creates unpleasant odours.
Water backing up: Water appearing in other fixtures when you drain the sink (e.g., toilet gurgles when you run the bath) suggests a shared pipe is blocked.
Raised water level in toilet: If the water level in your toilet bowl rises after flushing the sink or shower, there’s a blockage in the shared waste pipe.
DIY Fixes for Minor Blockages
If you catch a blockage early, try these:
Plunger
Works well for sinks, baths, and toilets. Block the overflow (in sinks/baths) with a wet cloth, place the plunger over the drain, and pump vigorously. The suction can dislodge the blockage.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Leave for 30 minutes, then flush with hot water. This works for minor buildup, not solid blockages.
Drain Snake
A flexible tool you feed down the drain to break up or hook the blockage. Available from hardware stores for under £10. Useful for hair clogs in showers.
Hot Water
For grease buildup, boiling water can sometimes melt enough grease to clear the blockage. Pour carefully to avoid splashing.
When to Call a Professional
Some blockages need a plumber:
Recurring blockages: If the same drain blocks repeatedly, there’s an underlying issue (damaged pipe, root intrusion, or poor pipe gradient).
Multiple blocked drains: If several drains block at once, the main drain is blocked. This needs professional equipment.
Sewage backing up: If sewage backs up into your property, turn off your water and call an emergency plumber immediately.
Chemical cleaners don’t work: Harsh chemical cleaners can damage pipes and harm the environment. If they don’t clear the blockage, call a professional.
Outdoor drains: Blocked external drains often need high-pressure jetting to clear.
Professional Drain Clearing
When you call a plumber for a blocked drain, they might use:
Drain rods: Long rods screwed together to reach and break up blockages in external drains.
High-pressure jetting: A powerful water jet that scours pipe walls and clears stubborn blockages. Effective for grease, roots, and scale buildup.
CCTV camera inspection: A camera fed into the drain to locate blockages, identify pipe damage, or find root intrusion. Useful for recurring problems.
Electro-mechanical cleaning: A motorised auger that breaks up solid blockages.
Costs vary:
- Simple drain clearance: £80-£150
- High-pressure jetting: £150-£300
- CCTV survey: £150-£250
Long-Term Maintenance
Keep drains clear with regular maintenance:
- Flush kitchen drains with hot water weekly
- Use enzymatic drain cleaner monthly (not harsh chemicals)
- Clean hair catchers and sink strainers weekly
- Clear outdoor drains and gutters twice a year
- Avoid putting anything down drains that shouldn’t be there
The Bottom Line
Preventing blocked drains is mostly about good habits: don’t pour grease down sinks, catch hair before it reaches drains, and keep outdoor drains clear. If you do get a blockage, try simple DIY fixes first, but call a professional if it persists or affects multiple drains.
If you’re dealing with a stubborn blockage in Middlesbrough, Stockton, or anywhere across Teesside, we’re here to help. From simple clearances to CCTV surveys and high-pressure jetting, we’ll get your drains flowing freely.
Get a free quote or contact us to clear your blocked drains.