Although defects in the pipe system is the primary cause of problems in drains, there are other factors which can excerbate the situation.
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Bad Housekeeping
The most prevelant cause of blockages in drainage systems is usually because the householder (or the previous occupant) put things down the pan which really should have gone in the bin. Nappies, sanitary products and condoms are the most common culprits.
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Drainage Grids & Gullies
The drains which your downspouts connect to, as well as waste water pipes from sinks, feature a water trap to stops smells (and rats) from the drains escaping to ground level around your home. The trap also helps stop blockages by keeping detritus from getting into the drain. Failing to keep them clear can be a recipe for a blocked drain.
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Grease And Fat
Fatty residue washes down the plughole and builds up within the drains, especially the water trap in the kitchen waste gulley. As soon as the grease comes into contact with the cold water it starts to congeal and cling. Over time most drainage systems eventually lose some of their efficiency due to the build up of fat.
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Blocked Toilets
Most problems with the loo are caused by either a foreign object being flushed away or a problem further down the line. Don't put anything in the toilet that could block the pipe, and that includes using too much toilet paper.
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Sinks, Baths and Showers
Aside from fats, leftovers and other debris from your kitchen ends up disappearing down the sink, the other primary source of blockages is hair. Especially where you have a problem with grease already, this mixes with the hair and forms a surprisingly strong blockage.
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Subsequent work
Pipes are fairly fragile things, especially vitrified clay pipes. If they were installed without due care and attention or if they are disturbed by subsequent works (such as an extension being built or even a fence post being driven a little too deep in the wrong place) you can often find that problems can take some time to become apparent.
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Tree Root Ingress
Roots have evoluted to seek out water and nourishment for plants, and these are to be found in abundance in your drains. Any defect in how the drains were constructed can lead to a tiny leak, which in turn attracts roots, which can be surprisingly strong. They can get in through poorly aligned joints, cracks and flaws in inpection chambers.
