4 Causes of Gradual Drain Blockages
Posted on: 11 July 2017
Drains in residential properties don't usually become clogged suddenly. The blockage develops gradually until you start noticing that wastewater and grey water is no longer draining effectively through the system. This article discusses some of the factors that can lead to that gradual blockage.
Differential Settlement
The soil through which the drains were installed can settle unevenly. This can happen for different reasons, such as parking a heavy vehicle regularly above the drain. This differential settlement can cause some sections of the drain to be crimped or to collapse. It will then become difficult for the drain to function normally. You can avert this eventuality by making sure that the heavy loads, such as vehicles, never access the areas where drains are buried.
Tree Roots
Trees that are planted close to a network of drains can cause those drains to become blocked. As the root grows bigger and longer, it can perforate the drain that is in its path. That root can then form a barrier to the flow of fluids through the drain. The barrier can get more severe as the root grows bigger. Eventually, the drain may become completely blocked by that root. You can avoid this problem by carefully selecting the trees that you plant on your residential property. Plant trees far from drains.
Fats and Oils
Some homeowners discharge oils, fats and greases into the drainage system. These substances adhere to the walls of the drains as they flow through the system. The fats and oils then provide a substrate through which other solids can adhere to the internal walls of the affected drains. This gradually reduces the internal diameter of the drains until there is insufficient space for fluids to flow through the drainage system.
Improper Installation
Drains can also clog up gradually if they were not installed correctly. For instance, a drain that is not sloping appropriately can eventually clog up. This is because fluids will be sluggish as they flow through that drain. Consequently, solids will start accumulating at the bottom of the drain because the velocity of the fluid isn't sufficient to force all materials downstream.
As you can see, many of the reasons why drains become blocked have something to do with how those drains are used by the homeowner. It is therefore important for you to seek for advice about proper drain maintenance so that you reduce the likelihood that blockages will develop in the drains on your property.
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