Why Does My Drain Keep Blocking?
If you’ve had a drain cleared only for the same problem to come back, there may be more going on than a simple blockage. Recurring blocked drains can be a sign that something further along the pipe needs investigating.
Clearing the blockage isn’t always the end of the story
Getting the water flowing again solves the immediate problem, but if the same drain keeps blocking, it’s worth finding out why.
The location of the blockage, condition of the pipe and what’s actually inside the drain can all help determine whether it’s a one-off problem or something likely to happen again.
Why it might keep happening
Tree roots keep finding their way in
Clearing roots can restore flow, but if they've entered through a crack or damaged joint, they may eventually grow back.
There could be damage to the pipe
Cracks, movement, deterioration or sections of pipe that aren't flowing correctly can allow waste to repeatedly catch in the same area.
Something is repeatedly going down the drain
Wipes, sanitary products, grease and other materials can contribute to repeated problems, particularly if the drainage system already has an issue.
The first blockage may not have told the whole story
Sometimes getting a drain flowing again doesn't explain why it blocked. If the problem returns, further investigation may be worthwhile.
How do we find out what's causing it?
When a blockage keeps returning, a CCTV drain inspection can help us see what's happening inside the pipe.
Rather than guessing, we can look for things like roots, damage, foreign objects or other problems and explain what we've found before discussing what to do next.
When should you look into it further?
It may be worth investigating if the same drain has blocked more than once, toilets regularly gurgle, several drains are slow at the same time, unpleasant smells keep returning or you've previously had tree roots removed from the drain. You don't necessarily need to assume the worst. The first step is simply working out what's happening.
Does a recurring blockage mean I need new drains?
Not necessarily. Every drain is different, which is why it's worth identifying the cause before deciding what needs to be done.
Sometimes the solution can be straightforward. Other times damaged pipework may need further attention. We'll show you what we've found and explain the options so you can make an informed decision.
A real blockage we found
We recently attended a home where the toilet kept blocking. After removing the toilet and inspecting the drain with our CCTV camera, we found something the homeowner wasn't expecting - a toilet brush head lodged inside the drain.
Once we knew what was causing the problem, we could access the drain, remove it and get everything flowing properly again.
