Half of all accidents in blocks of flats are caused by blocked drains: the strangest things they’ve found in sewage pipes

Half of all accidents in blocks of flats are caused by blocked drains: the strangest things they’ve found in sewage pipes

Sewerage accidents are a common and extremely unpleasant emergency in apartment buildings: as many as 50% of all accidents in apartment buildings are related to sewerage pipes. Deividas Karalius, Regional Manager of Civinity Namai, a company involved in the maintenance and management of multi-apartment buildings, explains why these accidents occur and how to avoid them.

Half of all accidents in apartment blocks are caused by blocked drains

According to Civinity Namai, around 50% of all accidents in apartment blocks are caused by sewage system problems, usually caused by blocked drains.

When a sewage accident occurs, the consequences are felt by the entire block of flats: sewage floods the basements of the flats, overflows into the flats, and there is an unpleasant smell of sewage. During the emergency response, which, depending on the size of the accident, the water in the house is shut off and the residents are unable to use not only the water but also the toilet.

Older blocks of flats have a higher risk of sewerage accidents

Sewerage accidents are most common in old blocks of flats with old sewage pipes made of cast iron. Such pipes become calcified, brittle and start to burst over years of use.

“We often hear that sewage pipes in old blocks of flats will last forever because they are made of cast iron. But the truth is that the cast iron material used for wastewater pipes makes it easier for dirt to accumulate and for their walls to become clogged with sewage, and over time, the diameter of the pipes narrows and the sewage doesn’t flow the way it should,” says Mr Karalius.

Residents of old blocks of flats are advised to replace their wastewater pipes with modern plastic ones that prevent the build-up of dirt, thus ensuring good permeability and function.

“Plastic wastewater pipes can also be soundproofed, so there is no need to worry about the sound of sewage coming from a neighbouring apartment when you replace your wastewater pipe with a plastic one,” advises a Civinity Namai specialist.

Throwing things down the drain that clog pipes

Replacing old sewage pipes with new ones reduces the likelihood of sewage accidents. But even in such cases, it is important to use the pipe properly. According to Mr Karaliaus, sewerage accidents are often not caused by technical problems, but by irresponsible behaviour on the part of residents.

The sewer system is not designed to dispose of rubbish, so toilet paper, napkins and towels that do not dissolve should not be thrown into it. There are still cases where people’s nappies, other hygiene products, animal bedding and plastic bags are thrown down the drain.

Food waste is another category of rubbish that people still throw down the sink or toilet. It is important to remember that the wastewater pipe is not designed to dispose of food residues, so the practice of pouring uneaten soup, used oil, coffee grounds or other food down the toilet is very damaging to the entire wastewater system and can easily clog it.

Food waste, including oil, should ideally be separated and, if not, disposed of in general waste containers.

Sewage accidents also lead to the discovery of very strange items

According to a representative of Civinity Namai, in addition to hygiene products and food leftovers, other items are found in sewerage emergencies, raising questions about how they got there.

“We have found a lot of curiosities in the sewage pipes, such as mobile phones, beer cans, fish heads, apples, canned vegetables. We have found not only socks and bras, but even a jacket,” says Karalius.

Cafes’ requests not to throw toilet paper down the toilet make sense

Visitors to cafés and bars, especially those in the Old Town, are often asked not to throw toilet paper down the toilet. According to Mr Karaliaus, this request makes sense and should be followed:

“Even toilet paper that dissolves in water sticks to the walls of old pipelines, which eventually reduces the diameter of the pipeline, leading to clogged drains. As such establishments are frequented by a large number of people, sewerage accidents are certainly more frequent when toilet paper is thrown down the toilet,” says a Civinity Namai specialist.

When the toilet is blocked, it is important to use the products as instructed

If you notice a clogged drain in your home, it’s important to react immediately and take action to solve the problem.

You can try unblocking the drain yourself using a variety of chemicals. However, it is important to follow the instructions on the packaging. For example, when using a chemical, remember to rinse it with plenty of water.

According to Mr King, people often use chemicals outside the instructions. There are cases where this leads to a blockage in the sewer which hardens and cannot be cleared, even with special equipment, and to the dismantling of bathroom finishes and replacement of the pipes themselves.

“To avoid such problems, I would always recommend contacting a specialist who will determine the severity of the blockage and suggest appropriate measures to solve the problem,” says Mr Karalius.