Blocked drains are a common nuisance faced by homeowners across the UK. From unpleasant odours to potential flooding, a blocked drain can lead to significant issues if not addressed promptly. Understanding the common reasons behind blocked drains can help you identify and resolve the problem before it escalates. This article will explore some of the most frequent causes of drain blockages and provide practical solutions for each. Outside Drain Overflowing Blocked outside drains can often lead to overflowing, particularly during heavy rainfall. Leaves, dirt, and debris can accumulate over time, leading to a blockage. How to Fix It Regular maintenance, including clearing debris from drain covers and using a pressure washer on an outside drain overflowing, can prevent blockages from forming. If an outside drain is already overflowing, start by clearing any visible debris. If the blockage persists, using a drain auger or contacting a professional may be necessary to address the issue effectively. Build-up of Hair One of the most common culprits behind blocked bathroom sinks and showers is hair. Over time, strands can accumulate in the drain, leading to a blockage. This is particularly problematic in households with multiple residents who shower regularly. How to Fix It To tackle a hair blockage, start by removing the drain cover (if applicable) and using a pair of gloves to pull out any visible hair. For more stubborn clogs, you can use a plumber’s snake or a drain auger to break up the blockage. Regularly cleaning the drain and using a hair catcher can prevent this issue in the future. Grease and Fat Buildup Another frequent cause of blocked drains in the kitchen is the accumulation of grease and fat. When you pour cooking oils, sauces, or fatty foods down the sink, they can solidify, creating clogs that restrict water flow. How to Fix It To clear a greasy blockage, you can pour boiling water down the drain to help dissolve some of the fat. For tougher clogs, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can be effective. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. After 15 minutes, flush with boiling water. To prevent future grease build-up, always dispose of cooking fat and oils in the bin, rather than down the sink. Food Solids In addition to grease, food solids can also lead to blockages, especially in kitchen sinks. Small pieces of food can accumulate over time, particularly when a sink strainer isn’t used. How to Fix It Firstly, remove any visible food debris from the sink. Then, try the hot water method mentioned earlier, or use a baking soda and vinegar solution. In severe cases, you may need to disassemble the U-bend under the sink for a thorough clean. Always ensure you use a sink strainer to catch food particles and prevent them from going down the drain. Soap Scum Bar soap and shower gels can lead to soap scum build-up in your pipes, especially when mixed with hard water. Over time, this accumulation can lead to a significant blockage. How to Fix It You can combat soap scum by mixing baking soda and vinegar, similar to previous methods. For persistent blockages, a plumbing snake may be necessary to dislodge the soap build-up. Consider using liquid soap or body washes in the future, as these often leave less residue than traditional bar soaps. Foreign Objects Accidental drops of foreign objects into the toilet, sink, or drain can cause significant blockages. Items such as toys, wipes, or dental floss can get lodged in pipes and disrupt the flow of water. How to Fix It If you suspect a foreign object is causing the blockage, try to retrieve it if it’s visible. A plumber’s snake can also help grab items stuck further in the pipes. However, if the object is too deep or unreachable, you may need to consult a professional plumber to avoid damaging the pipes. Conclusion Blocked drains can stem from a variety of issues, from hair and grease to foreign objects and overflowing outside drains. Understanding these common causes and implementing regular maintenance can help you prevent blockages and keep your plumbing system running smoothly. If you encounter persistent problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional plumber to ensure the issue is resolved correctly and efficiently. Regular care and attention to your drainage system can save you from costly repairs and inconvenient situations down the line.

Rising sea levels and increasingly violent hurricanes continue to increase the flood risk in South Carolina. Flood events occur more frequently in the state and show no signs of letting up anytime soon.  This means thousands of homes are at risk of flooding, including in previously unflooded areas. While many homeowners invest in flood insurance in South Carolina, more must be done to minimize flooding damage. Types of Flooding Different types of floods affect South Carolina. Hurricanes often cause storm-induced flooding in coastal areas, leaving homes vulnerable to destruction.  When it rains heavily in the state, there is the risk of flash flooding. This flooding typically happens during summer thunderstorms and often plugs storm drains, causing nearby buildings, roads, and homes to flood.  Excessive rain can also cause lakes and rivers to exceed their banks and overflow into surrounding areas. This inrush of water, known as fluvial flooding, can cause levees to fail and reach homes and buildings.  Surface water flooding (pluvial flooding) is caused by heavy, ongoing rainfall that the watershed system cannot absorb. Pluvial floods cause big problems in urban areas, and more investments are needed to improve infrastructure to control these floods.  While rainfall does cause flooding in South Carolina, most major flooding events in the state are caused by hurricanes.  Flood Risk for Homeowners If you own a home in South Carolina, it is important to understand the risks that floods pose to your home.  You can use FEMA Flood Maps to determine the overall risk of floods in your area. For instance, if you live in Zone X, your area has a lower risk of annual flooding.  Zone VE, on the other hand, has a 1% annual chance of coastal flooding with a velocity hazard. Here, flood insurance is mandatory for homeowners. Local emergency management agencies and your insurance provider can also help you assess the flood risk to your home.  Flood Prevention Measures While you cannot prevent a flood from happening, you can take several steps to protect your home.  Exterior Protection Exterior protection is as important as interior protection. You must elevate crucial components attached to the outside of your home, including electrical panels, furnaces, and water heaters. Any critical equipment outside your home must be lifted above the anticipated flood level.  This will allow for minimal damage during a flood and ensure that essential systems remain functional.  Hire a licensed electrician or contractor to help elevate electrical panels and other items to ensure compliance.  You can also install check valves to prevent sewage backup in your house when drains overflow. Depending on your area’s regulations, you may need to hire a plumber to install these valves correctly.  It is important to maintain your gutters and downspouts throughout the year. Clear leaves, debris, and potential blockages to prevent water from accumulating around your house’s foundation. Clearing these hazards can also prevent flood water from spilling into your house.  Moreover, you should consider installing sump pumps to remove excess water from basements, crawl spaces, and other low-lying areas around your house. Invest in a battery-powered backup system if the power goes out during a flood.  As with most flood prevention measures, having a professional install a sump pump system on your property is better.  Interior Protection Ideally, you want to waterproof the lower levels of your home, including basements and crawl spaces. This can help prevent water infiltration. You should also replace leaking windows and repair all foundational cracks to prevent water from seeping in.  If you store valuable items in your basement, keep them off the floor by stacking them on shelves.  You can install water sensors to alert you of water intrusion, including leaks and seepage. These sensors should be placed near potential water entry points, and you can connect them to an alarm or smart home system.  Flood Emergency Plan In addition to protecting your home against flooding, you must also ensure you, your family, and your pets are safe in a flood.  Create a flood emergency plan that includes evacuation routes when water rises. In most instances, it would be best to evacuate before the water begins to rise.  Your emergency plan should include the following: Prepare a flood emergency kit with supplies that will last several days. This includes bottled water, non-perishable food, sanitation supplies, medications, first-aid kits, flashlights, and batteries. Floods happen fast, so you need to ensure your kit is within easy reach.  Remember to include food for your pets and any medications they may need. Some homeowners include calming treats and sprays to calm their pets during the chaos.  Flood Insurance Sometimes, no strategies and prevention measures can stop flood waters from damaging your house. This is why you should have up-to-date flood insurance coverage.  Do not rely on your standard homeowner’s policy, as it is very likely to exclude flood damage. Flooding is a widespread event with significant risks, so you need a specialized insurance policy.  There is the option of the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) administered by FEMA. This insurance coverage may pay for home repairs and replace flood-damaged belongings up to policy limits. However, most homeowners prefer taking out private flood insurance, especially if they live in high-risk areas. Private policies often offer more coverage options and lower deductibles than the NFIP.  When you take out flood insurance, ensure that you understand your policy’s limits and know how much your deductible will be when you claim. Remember that flood insurance might exclude damage from sewer backups or gradual water seepage.  You should also consider adding additional coverage to your flood insurance policy. You can increase the coverage limits or get additional protection for valuable items. Investing in Flood Insurance  Flood insurance is not an option in the flood-prone areas of South Carolina. To protect your property investment, you must have full insurance coverage. You can have peace of mind even if a flood sweeps through your area.