Blocked and overflowing drains can be a headache for property owners, especially if it’s affecting the day-to-day running of your home or business operations. However, if you catch the issue early and get help from a drain professional, you can avoid serious damage while identifying the cause using specialist CCTV equipment.

Here are five typical causes of overflowing and blocked drains.

Leaves and other debris

Blocked drains aren’t just blocked by internal influences but external debris too. A common offender of blocked drains is leaves and stones, particularly after stormy weather like heavy winds and torrential rainfall, causing extra water to enter the system. This is often the case if guttering has been left unchecked or there are lots of trees in your garden. 

While it’s difficult to avoid this problem, consider drain covers if the issue is recurring and ensure your gutters and gardens are kept clear of debris.

Grease build-ups

Have you ever heard that you shouldn’t pour oil and cooking fat down your sink? The reason for this is that it can culminate in the pipes and cause drain blockages. This build-up of fat can soon start to cause a back-up of water, which is why your patio or outdoor spaces suddenly flood with water when you run water down the sink.

To avoid this problem in the future, pour excess cooking fat and oil into a separate container to throw away once cooled.

Food waste

Pouring food down the sink is never a good idea, whether it’s spaghetti escaping from the saucepan when you’re draining the water or getting rid of leftover soup. While the plughole may stop large chunks from entering the drain system, smaller pieces can go down the sink and start to cause issues.

To avoid this problem, use plughole catchers and remove excess food from your plates and bowls before washing up.

Bathroom waste

Many things enter our drainage systems in the bathroom, from soap suds to hair. This is often the cause of slow-draining systems and blocked drains in domestic residences, thanks to a build-up of bathroom matter.

Again, plughole covers are a great idea to help catch items like strands of hair that may try to disappear down your drains.

Tree roots

While you may think them an unlikely candidate for blocking drains, tree roots can start to impose on underground systems and cause drain damage. This can be identified by CCTV surveys that find cracks or leaks in the drain system, damaging the structure and obstructing the flow of water.

You can’t prevent roots from damaging your drains, but acting fast will help you identify the problem and find a solution before the damage is too extensive.

Got a blocked drain? Contact our team today

Contact The Drain Survey Company if you need help with blocked or overflowing drains. We cover the whole of London and Essex, offering reliable CCTV drain assessments in both commercial and domestic settings.

For a quote, call now on 020 4538 4399.