A drain that keeps getting blocked usually has a cause that has not been dealt with, such as fats and wipes building up, a damaged or misaligned pipe, or tree roots getting into the drain. Clearing the blockage may bring relief for a while, but if the cause is still there, it may return.
Repeat blockages are worth looking into rather than just clearing again. Finding the cause can save the disruption of dealing with the same problem over and over.
What Goes Down the Drain
Many blockages are caused by things that should not go into drains. Cooking fat, oil and grease can set as they cool and stick to the inside of pipes. Wet wipes, sanitary products, cotton buds and kitchen roll do not break down like toilet paper and can catch on other waste.
In kitchens, food scraps and coffee grounds can add to the build-up. In bathrooms, hair and soap can collect in waste pipes. Water companies run campaigns asking people to bin these items rather than flush them or pour them away.
Problems With the Drain Itself
Sometimes the drain is the problem. A pipe that is cracked, has a displaced joint or has sunk in one place can catch waste and slow the flow. Tree roots can sometimes get into drains through small gaps and grow inside them. Older drains may also have rough or uneven surfaces that waste can cling to.
Signs that the drain itself may be involved include blockages that return in the same place, slow drainage that never fully clears, or damp or sinking ground above the drain route.
These problems are not always visible from the surface and may need investigating. Not every repeat blockage means the drain is damaged, though. It depends on what is found.
Shared Drains and Outside Factors
If a drain is shared with neighbours, what they put down it can affect you too. Leaves, silt and debris can also get into outside gullies and drains, especially if a cover is missing or damaged.
Where a blockage is on a shared sewer or outside your boundary, it may be the responsibility of the sewerage company rather than the homeowner. Your sewerage company can tell you more.
Stopping It Happening Again
Keep fats and oils out of the sink, bin wipes and sanitary items, and use plughole strainers to catch hair and food. Letting fat cool and putting it in the bin, rather than rinsing pans straight into the sink, can help. Avoid using strong chemicals repeatedly, and never mix different drain products, as this can be dangerous.
If blockages keep coming back, the drain may need checking to find out why. Our page on clearing a blocked drain explains how recurring drain problems are assessed.
If your drain keeps blocking at your Poole property, a plumber can look at what may be causing it and explain the options.