Plumbing
Most blockages build up slowly from everyday use, then announce themselves at the worst possible moment. Knowing what causes them makes them easy to avoid.
What clogs a drain
In kitchens, cooking oil and food scraps are the main offenders — grease cools and hardens inside the pipe. In bathrooms, it's hair, soap scum and small objects. Hard water can also leave scale that narrows pipes over time.
Pouring oil down the sink, flushing wipes or cotton pads, and skipping drain guards are the fastest ways to a blockage.
Keeping drains clear
Use drain strainers, bin food waste and oil instead of rinsing them away, and flush drains with hot water regularly. If water is draining slowly across several fittings at once, the blockage may be in the main line — that's one to have cleared professionally before it backs up.
