Blocked Kitchen Drain? 2 Main Culprits and How to Prevent Them
Posted on: 22 February 2018
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What would you do if you heard gurgling from your sink, followed by nasty liquid? Often, you have no choice but to call in a plumber so that your normal kitchen functions can take place again. Of course, this situation can generally be prevented if you take the proper precautions. This article highlights the top two culprits that cause kitchen drain blockages and how to prevent them.
1. Fats and oils
As liquid fats and oils from cooking are exposed to cool air and water in your pipes, they congeal and solidify. While most of it is washed away, over time residue builds up and will eventually create a solid lump of lard.
Instead of pouring fats and oils down the drain, pour them into a used plastic food container and throw it in the rubbish bin instead. If frying pans or saucepans have fatty residue in them, wipe out the fat with a paper towel or an old newspaper before washing them. This will seriously minimise the amounts of fats and oils that go down the drain.
2. Food scraps
As is the case with fats and oils, tiny pieces of food from dirty plates, cutlery, and saucepans can build up in your drains over time. If these food scraps are from meat or dairy items, this can not only cause a blockage but can also result in the trapped food rotting in your pipes. This can result in a nasty smell and lead to potentially dangerous bacteria growth.
The simplest way to prevent this is to buy a special mesh fitting which sits underneath the plug and covers the drain. These are available in most stores and come in a variety of sizes. This means that when you empty the basin, the food pieces will be trapped in the mesh instead of building up in your pipes. You then dispose of the scraps in the trash bin.
Sometimes it's possible to unblock the drain yourself by using a chemical drain cleaner and a plunger. However, if your drains have been subjected to years of abuse, then you will probably need to call in a plumber. They will be able to completely clear the pipe which means that you'll be able to use the above tips to ensure that you never have to face the unsightly and smelly mess from blocked drains again. If you have a badly blocked drain, call a plumber as your next step.