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The 10 most common causes of blocked drains - and how to avoid them

  • Writer: Martin Schlaffer
    Martin Schlaffer
  • Apr 1
  • 3 min read

Updated: Apr 30


A blocked drain can quickly become an annoying and expensive affair. However, such problems can often be avoided by taking preventative measures. Here are the ten most common causes of pipe blockages and tips on how to keep your drains keep your drains clean.


If you need help quickly, you can find all the information about our Berlin drain cleaning emergency services on our AAA-Abfluss homepage.



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1. Leftover food


Food scraps do not belong in the down the drain! Starchy foods in particular, such as rice or pasta, swell up and swell up and lead to blockages.


Tip: Use a drain strainer in the kitchen and dispose of leftover food in the bin or organic waste garbage can.


2. Grease and oil


Grease and cooking oils settle on the inner walls of the pipes and gradually gradually constrict them.


Tip: Pour fats and oils into an old container and dispose of them in the residual waste.





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3. Hair as a cause of blocked drains


Hair is one of the biggest enemies of your bathroom drain. It gets caught in the pipe and forms a dense clog with soap residue.


Tip: Use a hair strainer in the shower and sink to catch hair.


4. Soap residues


Grease-based soaps in particular can cause deposits.


Tip: Rinse the pipes regularly with hot water to remove soap residue.





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5. Hygiene articles and wet wipes


Wet wipes, cotton buds or feminine hygiene products do not decompose and can completely block pipes. They are one of the most common causes of blocked drains.


Tip: Always throw such items in the bin and not down the toilet.


6. Limescale deposits


Over time, hard water can leave limescale deposits in the pipes.








Tip: Descale your pipes regularly with a pipes with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda or use a water softener. You can find out what other household remedies help against blocked pipes in our blog post “Home remedies for blocked pipes: what really helps?”.



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7. Cat litter


Some people dispose of cat litter in the toilet, which can have fatal consequences. Cat litter clumps and hardens in water.


Tip: Always dispose of cat litter in the residual waste!


8. Foreign objects


Toys, dental floss or even small pieces of jewelry can accidentally end up in the drain.


Tip: Be careful and use drain plugs to prevent small objects from entering the pipe.




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9. Root ingrowth


In older pipe systems, tree roots can penetrate the pipes and cause massive blockages.


Tip: Have your pipe system regularly with a camera inspection. You can find more detailed information on this in our article “How does a TV camera inspection work?”.


10. Building materials and paint residues


Cement, plaster or paint residues do not belong in the drain, as they harden there and lead to complete pipe blockages.



Tip: Dispose of building materials properly at recycling centers or special collection points.



Conclusion on the 10 most common causes of blocked drains


With the right care and attention, many pipe blockages can be avoided.



If your drain does become blocked, we will be happy to help you, simply make an appointment!







You can find more information about our services in our service area.


✅ Would you like to find out more about me and my work? Then take a look here!


Do you need help? Please feel free to contact us at any time on +49 (0) 1577 499 54 47

or send an e-mail to service@aaaabfluss.de. Your pipe cleaning Berlin AAA-Abfluss will be happy to help you!


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