Why Do Drain Blockages Occur?
Drain blockages usually occur due to the accumulation of grease, hair, food waste, and other solid materials inside the pipes. Every day, a large amount of material goes down the drain that may not cause immediate problems, but over time builds up on pipe walls and narrows the flow area.
Older apartment buildings in Harjumaa and Tallinn are particularly vulnerable, as their plumbing often dates from the 1960s–1990s and has aged significantly. This makes regular maintenance and prevention especially important.
7 Tips to Prevent Blockages
1. Use hair filters in shower and bath drains
Hair is one of the main causes of blockages in the bathroom. A cheap hair filter over the drain opening prevents blockages and saves you from an expensive repair bill. Clean the filter weekly.
2. Never pour grease down the drain
Fats and oils cool in the pipe and solidify, forming thick layers that narrow the flow area. Always pour grease into a separate container and take it to a waste point. This applies to both home kitchens and restaurant operators.
3. Use a food waste filter under the kitchen sink
Food scraps — vegetable peels, coffee grounds, rice and pasta — swell in the pipe and cause blockages. Install a strainer over the sink drain to catch food waste.
4. Flush the drain with hot water once a week
Once a week, pour half a litre of boiling water down the drain. This helps dissolve lighter grease deposits before they become a serious problem. Follow this habit especially in the kitchen area.
5. Never flush wipes, nappies or sanitary products
The toilet is only designed for biological waste and toilet paper. Wet wipes, nappies, tampons and cotton buds quickly clog the pipe and do not biodegrade. These must always be thrown in the bin.
6. Arrange regular drain cleaning
Even if there are no visible problems in the plumbing, we recommend having the pipes professionally cleaned once a year. High-pressure jetting removes grease deposits, root growth and sediment preventively — before they become a serious blockage.
7. Watch for early warning signs
Slow drainage in sink drains, unusual gurgling sounds and bad smells are signs of a developing blockage. Don't wait until the problem becomes critical — at an early stage, cleaning is much easier and cheaper.
When to Call a Professional Plumber?
If a blockage doesn't respond to home remedies, professional help is needed. The PainePesu team arrives in the Tallinn area within 1 hour and resolves the blockage with professional equipment — mechanical cleaning or high-pressure jetting.
Don't use chemical drain cleaners too often — they damage older cast iron and PVC pipes.
Regular maintenance and a few simple habits help keep your plumbing healthy and avoid costly emergency repair bills. But if you already have a blockage, call us — we'll resolve it quickly and professionally.