What causes drains to block?
Old Pipes
The most common cause of blocked drain pipes is old drain pipes that detriorate and crack over time. Most homes built prior to the early 1970’s use sewer and drain pipes made of either cast iron or clay. The most common problems seen in clay pipes are root intrusion at the joints and cracks. The most common problem seen in cast iron pipes is calcification and corrosion.
Root Intrusion
Root intrusion into sewer pipe systems causes most sewer blockages. Tree roots invasion is more likely to occur in older systems and in cracked pipes. Factors that contribute to damage include:
- older drain and sewer pipes and joints
- drain and sewer pipes laid too shallow
- small-dimension pipes
- and fast-growing tree species
Trenchless technology is the state-of-the-art way of repairing cracked or broken pipes.
Calcification or Corrosion of Drain Pipes
Over time, calcium deposits from water form a crusted coating called ‘calcification’ which clogs up household pipes and drain lines, especially when hard water is in use.
With Trenchless Technology the pipes are relined preventing future calcification.
Find out more about how to clear blocked drains
Find out more about how to treat broken pipes using Trenchless Technology