We have all experienced pipe blockages at home at some point, whether in the bathroom, sink or kitchen drain. Often you don’t know what causes these blockages, so in this article we tell you about 6 causes of pipe blockages.
Causes of pipe blockages
- Poorly constructed installations
- Outdated pipes
- Pipes with insufficient slope
- Waste disposal
- Drains with small cross-section
- Excess limescale
Why do pipe blockages occur?
Generally, pipe blockages are related to bad practices. Therefore, we are going to explain in detail the main 6 causes of pipe blockages.
1. Poorly constructed installations
Installations should have few bends. It is necessary to avoid 45-degree bends, to prevent poor water circulation and the accumulation of substances in difficult areas. An excess of bends in pipes can cause blockages in the future.
2. Outdated pipes
If pipes are very old and we use them daily, they age and cause blockages. A very old installation causes pipes to lose their properties, break down and accumulate debris, which makes it more difficult for water to pass through.
3. Pipes with insufficient slope
Pipes should have an inclination of 2% or higher for proper water circulation. A slope with insufficient inclination slows down water drainage and the accumulation of debris, which can eventually cause a blockage.
4. Waste disposal
One of the main causes of pipe blockages is the accumulation of debris from bad practices. Therefore, oils or food scraps should never be thrown down the sink, as this promotes blockages. Similarly, you should also not throw diapers, sanitary pads or food down bathroom drains if you don’t want them to get clogged.
5. Drains with small cross-section
When pipes have a small cross-section, they cannot evacuate water quickly, so future blockages can form.
6. Excess limescale
In areas where water has high hardness, limescale can sediment in pipes causing future blockages.
As can be seen, a proper pipe installation, following the correct techniques, can prevent blockages from appearing.
We hope this article has helped you understand the main 6 causes of pipe blockages. If you suffer from a pipe blockage and are looking for a professional pipe unblocking tool to end them, visit our website.


