What usually causes a blocked drain, and how is it located and cleared?
Grease, hair, wet wipes and general debris are the most common causes, and the right clearing method - from a basic trap clear to jetting or a drain camera - depends on where in the system the blockage sits.
Kitchen drains are commonly affected by fat and grease solidifying inside the pipe over time, while bathroom drains more often build up hair and soap residue. Outside drains can also be affected by tree roots, general debris, or age-related damage to the pipe itself. Simple internal blockages, like a bath trap full of hair, are often clearable with basic tools; blockages further down the system, or ones that keep recurring, usually need rodding or high-pressure jetting, and sometimes a drain camera to confirm exactly what's causing the problem before deciding on the method.