Blocked drains can be a nuisance. They smell bad, take longer to drain and can lead to a lot of other problems in your plumbing system. 

It is best to avoid getting a blocked drain in the first place rather than trying to solve one that has already occurred. Here are some ways to do that. 

Avoid putting hair down your drains 

It’s easy to let hair fall onto the floor while bathing or into a drain when washing your hands but it’s important to take steps to avoid this. A simple, cost effective solution is to use a hair trap that sits over the drain entrance, catching all the hair as it falls so it doesn’t go down the drain. 

This won’t prevent all clogs as hair can easily slip past, but it will significantly reduce them. Alternatively, you can also try a homemade DIY remedy that will work to clear out most drain blockages. Mixing baking soda and apple cider together can be very powerful and can clear out most of the accumulated gunk in your drains. 

It’s also important to avoid putting food scraps, fats, oils and coffee grounds down your drains as these can solidify and cause blockages over time. Instead, dispose of these in the garbage or compost bin. Also, try using a kitchen strainer to catch food items as they wash away in the sink. 

Keep your drains clean 

Blocked drains are unpleasant, smell bad and can cause serious damage if not dealt with promptly. They can also be costly if you need professional help to clear them. It is therefore much better to avoid getting a blocked drain in the first place. This can be done by following a few quick and easy tips. 

For example, buy a sink strainer to keep hair and other debris out of your drains. Also use a hair catcher in your shower to prevent large amounts of hair from going down the drain. Grates are another great way of preventing blockages. Make sure to cover all of your sinks and drain outlets with them. 

If your drains do get blocked one tip is to pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down the drain. This will create a chemical reaction and eat away at any grease and fat build up. Then rinse the drain with lots of boiling water. 

Don’t overload them with food scraps 

A blocked drain in Canberra is like the traffic jam of plumbing, it can wreak havoc on your home and if left untreated can cause extensive damage. Avoid this by changing your habits and following some simple tips. 

Most clogged kitchen drains are caused by food waste. This includes cooking grease, coffee grounds and excess soap scum. To prevent this, scrape your plates and pans into the bin rather than the sink. It’s also a good idea to cover your drains with grates, this will stop larger objects from making their way down your drains.

Another big cause of blocked drains is people flushing things down toilets that shouldn’t be. This can include wipes and feminine hygiene products. These items do not degrade like toilet paper and should always be disposed of in a bin. To help with this, pouring a kettle of boiling water down your drains once a week will help to clear out any blockages. 

Don’t flush grease down the toilet 

Many people think it’s okay to pour grease down the toilet, but this is a very big no no. Grease may be liquid when it goes down the drain, but once it cools it solidifies and causes a clog that is difficult to remove. It can also damage the pipes in your home and those leading to the sewer. 

Some other common items that can cause blockages include baby wipes, cotton balls, swabs and condoms, which all don’t break down in water. Chewing gum is another culprit, as it never dissolves and can stick to other flushable items to create a logjam. 

Instead, if you need to dispose of these types of items, try using a natural DIY cleaner made of bicarb soda and white vinegar, which has a fizzing effect that breaks down blockages. You can find these cleaners in most stores. For more stubborn blockages, you can purchase caustic drain cleaners that are designed to tackle grease and fat but it is best to consult a professional plumber.