One of the most annoying, disruptive and unpleasant issues you can have in an office is blocked drains. It can be difficult to tell where the issue comes from, where there is an issue in the system and how it can be fixed.
The good thing about it is that for most blocked sinks, drains and pipes, dedicated drain unblocker products are straightforward, hygienic and fast working.
As your business will pay for the water, its drainage and call-out costs in the case of any issue, solving issues as soon as possible will save you a lot of money in the long term.
Here are the most common causes of blockages and how you can solve them.
What Are The Signs Of A Blocked Drain?
Figuring out the cause of a blocked drain is critical, but the first step is seeing the warning signs of a potential blockage.
Once you get these signs, but before you have a serious problem is the time to bring in preventative measures and fix your drains.
The first sign that you will likely get reported is an unusual and often rather unpleasant smell emanating from the drains. This means that a significant amount of build-up has emerged.
Other signs include unusual water rises and overflows from your toilet drainage, which suggests that the process is being blocked by something, sinks taking longer to clear, and odd gurgling sounds from the plughole, which suggests it is taking longer for water to flow.
Oils
Oils and grease can be common in your canteens or kitchen sinks, but when washed down the sink or the drain it hardens as it cools and can cause blockages and bad smells.
Thankfully, the solution can be as simple as pouring boiling water down the drain, which will help melt the grease and allow it to be disposed of safely.
Plants, Dirt and Leaves
A particular problem for outdoor drains leaves that fall or are blown off trees that blow into drains and can cause blockages. This can be the most frustrating to clean as it often involves more physical methods than bleach and drain cleaners.
Using protective gloves, remove dirt, soil and leaves from the system and wait to see if that helps the system.
Hair and Toiletries
The former is more of an issue in offices with showers, but hair can block drains and cause major issues. Thankfully, this tends to be an easier issue to fix immediately by pulling the hair out of the drain using a hook.
Toiletries such as baby wipes should never be flushed down the toilet, as they soak up moisture, get bigger and can block water flow, They can be a nightmare to fix, sometimes needing a plumber’s snake or a plunger to dislodge.
Broken Pipe
Broken pipes cause either blockages or leaks depending on the nature of the fracture.
When an older pipe fracture it becomes easier to block compared to a newer piece of pipe, so if you are worried about this or blockages have become more common, get in touch with a plumber or other professional.