Blocked drains are common and can be a nightmare to deal with. Having a plumber come in and fix it early on can save you time, money, and headaches later on.

You can prevent blockages by being careful about what goes down your plug holes. Hair, grease, soap scum, coffee grounds and more can cause your drainage system to stop working properly.

Damage to your home’s foundation

Blocked drains that aren’t dealt with quickly can damage the foundation of your home. As water tries to escape the blocked drain it can get soaked up by the surrounding soil, which may lead to cracks in the walls and floor of your home. It is best to avoid these problems altogether and have a plumber inspect your home’s drains, sewer lines, and roof gutter regularly.

Some of the biggest causes of clogged drains are food waste, hair, and garden debris. Food scraps like pasta, rice, and bread should be thrown in the bin instead of flushed down a sink as they can expand when wet and cause a blockage. Hair also accumulates in drain pipes, especially if you have long or thick hair, so putting a strainer over your shower and bathtub drains can help.

Lastly, garden debris can be washed into your home’s drains and sewer lines from rainwater or storms. Make sure to dispose of all garden waste properly so it doesn’t wash into your drains and clog them.

Unpleasant odors

There’s no sugar coating this: Blocked drains are nasty. They encourage the breeding of bacteria that can lead to health issues and create unpleasant odors throughout your home.

Food waste is one of the most common causes of blocked drains and can be easily prevented by investing in a kitchen waste disposal unit. Alternatively, you could also place food scraps and rubbish into a bin instead of the sink.

Another common cause of blocked drains is sanitary items and baby wipes being flushed down the toilet. You can prevent this by placing a waste basket near your toilet so that any sanitary items and cotton pads can be thrown in the bin instead of flushed away.

Other causes of blocked drains include tree roots, faulty piping, and mineral build up. A plumber can use high-definition camera inspections to identify these problems. They can also provide on-the-spot recommendations to prevent these from occurring again in the future.

Health risks

A blocked drain poses a serious health risk to those inside the home. The stagnant

water in the blocked pipes becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which can be harmful to people’s health. It also releases toxic fumes that can make breathing difficult, especially for those with respiratory problems. The smells that emanate from a clogged drain can cause headaches and nausea.

Blocked drains in Geelong can also contaminate household water and increase the chances of illness in family members. The contaminated sewage water from the blocked drain can carry harmful pathogens and bacteria that cause diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A. These diseases can be spread through direct contact with the sewage water or by eating food that comes in contact with it. Blocked drains also provide a perfect breeding ground for pests like mosquitoes, which can carry dangerous diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. The moist waste in the blocked drains attracts rodents and cockroaches as well, which can also invade the house.

Poor water flow

Many people don’t give their drains much thought until something goes wrong. If you’ve noticed your kitchen sink taking a long time to drain or you’re having issues with your toilets or bath, it’s important to get these issues fixed as soon as possible.

Foreign objects such as children’s toys, sanitary items, food build-up, and electronic waste can block your drains. They can also cause serious damage to your pipes if not addressed correctly.

Grease waste and fatty substances will harden on the inside of your drains over time, creating a blockage that’s difficult to clear. Running hot water down your drains regularly can help prevent this from happening.

Plumbing emergencies often require professional-grade tools that the average person doesn’t have access to. Plumbers will be able to use these tools to get to the root of the problem and provide you with a long-term solution. They can also identify any underlying issues that may be contributing to the blocked drain.