Whether they carry water or waste, nobody likes the idea of blocked drains or pipes. If plumbing water encounters a full or partial obstruction, that water will redirect itself and cause reactions that may include anything from backups and flooding to slow drainage and low pressure.

Tree roots
Tree roots are widely recognized as the number one cause of blockage and clogs in water and sewer mains.

Hair
Hair can accumulate to the point where it creates slow flow or total blockage. We can’t help that hair comes out of our heads naturally, but we can try to protect the drain as much as possible with small screens and good practices, such as sweeping hair out of sinks and cleaning the hair brushes over the trash can.

Fat and Grease
Like hair in the bathroom, grease and fat will build-up in the kitchen sink over time. These fatty substances are a very common cause of blocked drains and pipes and can be a nuisance to clear out.

Food
Food bits and chunks should be placed in the garbage –  never in the sink, bathtub or laundry drains. It especially should not be flushed down the toilet.

Toiletries
As more people get into the habit of disposing of toiletries down the drain, bigger problems are being caused in our pipes and sewers. Nappies and baby wipes are the two common issue items known to block drains after being flushed down the toilet.