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How to Prevent Drain Blockages & Keep Your Drains Flowing Freely

Blocked drains can be a major inconvenience, leading to foul odours, slow drainage, costly repairs, and even flooding. However, most blockages are avoidable with proper care and regular maintenance.

At Tex Services, we believe that prevention is always better than the cure. This guide will help you understand what causes drain blockages, how to prevent them, and what steps you can take to ensure your drains remain clear and fully functional.

Understanding What Causes Drain Blockages

Drain blockages occur when debris, grease, or foreign objects prevent water from flowing freely through the pipes. Some common causes include:

🚫 Grease & Oils – Cooking fats solidify in pipes, leading to stubborn blockages.
🚫 Food Waste – Even small food scraps can build up over time, restricting water flow.
🚫 Hair & Soap Scum – Hair can tangle and combine with soap residue, forming tough clogs.
🚫 Wet Wipes & Sanitary Products – Even "flushable" wipes don’t break down easily and can create blockages.
🚫 Tree Roots & External Debris – Leaves, twigs, and roots can infiltrate outdoor drains, causing severe obstructions.

By understanding these causes, you can take simple, proactive steps to keep your drains in excellent condition.

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Practical Steps to Prevent Drain Blockages

Adopt Smart Drain Habits

Scrape plates into the bin before washing up to prevent food waste from entering the drain.

Avoid pouring grease, fats, and oils down the sink—instead, collect them in a container and dispose of them in the bin.

Use a drain guard or hair catcher in showers and sinks to trap debris before it enters the pipes.

Flush only toilet paper—avoid flushing wipes, nappies, cotton buds, or sanitary products.

Keep Your Drains Clear with Regular Maintenance

Flush drains with boiling water weekly to break down grease and soap buildup.

Use a natural drain cleaner (baking soda and vinegar) to help prevent small blockages.

Check for slow drainage—if water isn’t draining as quickly as usual, act before it worsens.

Protect Outdoor Drains & Gutters

Clear leaves and debris from outdoor drains regularly, especially in autumn.

Install drain covers or guards to prevent leaves and dirt from entering your drainage system.

Ensure your garden is landscaped properly to prevent soil erosion from affecting drainage.

The Hidden Danger of Fatbergs

Fatbergs are large masses of solidified grease, oils, and debris that form inside drains and sewer systems.

Preventing fatbergs is simple—avoid pouring fats and oils down the sink, wipe greasy pans with kitchen roll before washing, and consider installing a grease trap in commercial kitchens.

They start small but grow over time, collecting waste materials and becoming hardened blockages.

Cities across the UK struggle with fatbergs, often requiring costly removal.

Restaurants, cafes, and commercial kitchens are particularly at risk due to high grease usage.

Why Regular Drain Inspections Matter

Even with the best prevention methods, drainage issues can develop over time. A CCTV drain survey is the most effective way to:

At Tex Services, our CCTV drain surveys provide a real-time view of your drainage system, helping you stay ahead of problems before they escalate.

Identify blockages early before they cause serious damage.

Check for pipe damage, cracks, and leaks.

Assess the condition of old or vulnerable drainage systems.

Outdoor Drain Protection & Gutter Maintenance

Outdoor drains and gutters are just as important as internal plumbing.

Adding drain guards and regular inspections ensures water flows freely and prevents unnecessary damage.

🌿 Leaves, twigs, and dirt can clog outdoor drains, leading to standing water and potential flooding.

🛠️ Check and clear gutters regularly, especially after heavy rainfall or during autumn.

🛑 Blocked outdoor drains can weaken your property’s foundation, causing long-term damage.

How to Keep Drains Healthy in Commercial Properties

Businesses—especially restaurants, cafes, hotels, and office buildings—face higher risks of drain blockages due to increased usage.

Commercial drain blockages can result in business disruptions, hygiene violations, and expensive repairs—so proactive maintenance is essential.

🏢 Install grease traps in kitchens to capture fats before they enter the drainage system.

🏢 Train staff on what should and shouldn’t go down the drain.

🏢 Schedule regular professional maintenance to keep commercial drains clear.

Using the Right Cleaning Methods

Some cleaning methods can do more harm than good.

⚠️ Avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners—they can damage pipes and harm the environment.

✅ Use natural solutions like baking soda and vinegar for mild blockages.

🔧 For stubborn clogs, professional drain jetting is the safest and most effective solution.

The Importance of Early Action

Recognising early warning signs (slow drainage, bad smells, gurgling sounds) allows you to act before problems become severe.

🚨 Blocked drains can lead to serious consequences, including:

Foul odours and poor hygiene.

Damp and mould growth inside your home.

Flooding and costly water damage.

Damage to property foundations.

How Tex Services Can Help

At Tex Services, we provide expert drainage maintenance, unblocking, and CCTV drain surveys to keep your system running efficiently.

🔍 Our Services Include:

✅ CCTV Drain Surveys – Pinpointing blockages and damage.

✅ High-Pressure Drain Jetting – Removing stubborn blockages with advanced cleaning.

✅ Drain Unblocking & Repairs – Professional solutions to keep water flowing freely.

✅ Commercial Drain Maintenance – Tailored solutions for high-traffic drainage systems.

📞 Contact Tex Services today for reliable, professional drain care and prevention.

Our Expertise In Construction & Building Maintenance Is Decades Long!

About Us

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How to Prevent Drain Blockages & Keep Your Drains Flowing Freely

Our Expertise In Construction & Building Maintenance Is Decades Long!

Practical Steps to Prevent Drain BlockagesAdopt Smart Drain Habits

Scrape plates into the bin before washing up to prevent food waste from entering the drain.

Avoid pouring grease, fats, and oils down the sink—instead, collect them in a container and dispose of them in the bin.

Use a drain guard or hair catcher in showers and sinks to trap debris before it enters the pipes.

Flush only toilet paper—avoid flushing wipes, nappies, cotton buds, or sanitary products.

Keep Your Drains Clear with Regular Maintenance

Flush drains with boiling water weekly to break down grease and soap buildup.

Use a natural drain cleaner (baking soda and vinegar) to help prevent small blockages.

Check for slow drainage—if water isn’t draining as quickly as usual, act before it worsens.

Protect Outdoor Drains & Gutters

Clear leaves and debris from outdoor drains regularly, especially in autumn.

Install drain covers or guards to prevent leaves and dirt from entering your drainage system.

Ensure your garden is landscaped properly to prevent soil erosion from affecting drainage.

They start small but grow over time, collecting waste materials and becoming hardened blockages.

Cities across the UK struggle with fatbergs, often requiring costly removal.

Restaurants, cafes, and commercial kitchens are particularly at risk due to high grease usage.

Identify blockages early before they cause serious damage.

Check for pipe damage, cracks, and leaks.

Assess the condition of old or vulnerable drainage systems.

Outdoor Drain Protection & Gutter MaintenanceOutdoor drains and gutters are just as important as internal plumbing.Adding drain guards and regular inspections ensures water flows freely and prevents unnecessary damage.

🌿 Leaves, twigs, and dirt can clog outdoor drains, leading to standing water and potential flooding.

🛠️ Check and clear gutters regularly, especially after heavy rainfall or during autumn.

🛑 Blocked outdoor drains can weaken your property’s foundation, causing long-term damage.

🏢 Install grease traps in kitchens to capture fats before they enter the drainage system.

🏢 Train staff on what should and shouldn’t go down the drain.

🏢 Schedule regular professional maintenance to keep commercial drains clear.

Using the Right Cleaning MethodsSome cleaning methods can do more harm than good.

⚠️ Avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners—they can damage pipes and harm the environment.

✅ Use natural solutions like baking soda and vinegar for mild blockages.

🔧 For stubborn clogs, professional drain jetting is the safest and most effective solution.

The Importance of Early ActionRecognising early warning signs (slow drainage, bad smells, gurgling sounds) allows you to act before problems become severe.🚨 Blocked drains can lead to serious consequences, including:

Foul odours and poor hygiene.

Damp and mould growth inside your home.

Flooding and costly water damage.

Damage to property foundations.

How Tex Services Can HelpAt Tex Services, we provide expert drainage maintenance, unblocking, and CCTV drain surveys to keep your system running efficiently.🔍 Our Services Include:

✅ CCTV Drain Surveys – Pinpointing blockages and damage.

✅ High-Pressure Drain Jetting – Removing stubborn blockages with advanced cleaning.

✅ Drain Unblocking & Repairs – Professional solutions to keep water flowing freely.

✅ Commercial Drain Maintenance – Tailored solutions for high-traffic drainage systems.

📞 Contact Tex Services today for reliable, professional drain care and prevention.

Our Expertise In Construction & Building Maintenance Is Decades Long!

Your complete service provider

Practical Steps to Prevent Drain Blockages

Adopt Smart Drain Habits

Outdoor Drain Protection & Gutter Maintenance

Outdoor drains and gutters are just as important as internal plumbing.

Adding drain guards and regular inspections ensures water flows freely and prevents unnecessary damage.

Using the Right Cleaning Methods

Some cleaning methods can do more harm than good.

The Importance of Early Action

Recognising early warning signs (slow drainage, bad smells, gurgling sounds) allows you to act before problems become severe.

🚨 Blocked drains can lead to serious consequences, including:

How Tex Services Can Help

At Tex Services, we provide expert drainage maintenance, unblocking, and CCTV drain surveys to keep your system running efficiently.

🔍 Our Services Include: