Blocked Drains: Causes, Quick Fixes and When to Call a Plumber

A slow sink or a toilet that will not flush properly is more than an annoyance. Left alone, a partial blockage becomes a full one, and wastewater can back up into the home.

Here is what usually causes drain blockages in Riyadh homes and how to deal with them safely.

What causes blocked drains

• Cooking oil and grease poured into the kitchen sink, which hardens inside the pipe.
• Hair and soap scum in shower and basin drains.
• Wet wipes, tissues and sanitary products flushed down the toilet.
• Sand and dust washed in from courtyards and roofs.
• Pipes with too little slope, or damaged and sagging lines.

Warning signs

• Water drains slowly from sinks, showers or floor drains.
• Gurgling sounds from drains or the toilet.
• Bad smells coming from floor drains.
• Water rising in the shower when the toilet is flushed.

Quick fixes you can try

Avoid repeated use of strong chemical drain cleaners. They can damage pipes and seals, and they are dangerous if a plumber later has to open the line.

• Pour very hot (not boiling) water down a greasy kitchen drain.
• Use a plunger on sinks and toilets, sealing the overflow hole first.
• Remove and clean the sink trap under the basin, with a bucket underneath.
• Pull hair out of shower drains with a drain hook.

When to call a plumber

If several drains are slow at the same time, the blockage is likely in the main line rather than a single fixture. Professional plumbers use drain machines and high-pressure water jetting to clear the full length of the pipe, and camera inspection to check for damage.

How to prevent blockages

• Collect cooking oil in a container and throw it away with household rubbish.
• Use hair catchers in showers and basins.
• Flush only toilet paper.
• Keep floor drain covers in place to stop sand entering.
• Have main drains cleaned periodically in older buildings.

Frequently Asked Questions