Anyone who has had to deal with clogged drains knows how frustrating and inconvenient it is. It is especially irritating when the clogs return shortly after you clear them. The good news is that you can prevent these problems by taking the proper steps. Let’s discuss some of the most common causes of clogged drainage.
Accumulation of Hair & Soap Scum
People shed a lot of hair, often falling shower or bathtub drains. When mixed with soap scum and other debris, it creates a sticky mass that blocks water flow.
Installing a drain cover or strainer can help prevent hair clogs. It’s also important to keep non-biodegradable products, such as feminine hygiene products and wipes, away from drains.
Try pouring hot water mixed with baking soda and vinegar down the drain for stubborn hair clogs. This is a safe and cheap way to clear a drain blockage. If this method doesn’t work, consider calling a plumber. They can use a more advanced tool to break up even the toughest clogs.
Grease & Fat Buildup in Pipes
Grease, fats, and oils are a leading cause of clogged drains in kitchen sinks. While these items may seem like they’ll flow easily down the drain in liquid form, they harden as they cool and stick to the insides of pipes. This can lead to a greasy buildup that’s nearly impossible to clear.
Prevention is key when it comes to grease and fat buildup. To help keep grease clogs at bay, pour a cup of grease-fighting dish soap down the drain, followed by a kettle’s worth of boiling water once a month. A mesh strainer in the sink drain also helps catch and trap grease clumps before they reach the drain.
Food Waste & Debris in Sink
Almost every household has experienced a drain clog at least once. It may start as a minor inconvenience but can become a big problem, leading to sewage backups and expensive pipe renovations.
Kitchen scraps like eggshells, coffee grounds, and shellfish do not decompose well and can contribute to a clog. They can also form clumps that are difficult to dislodge with chemical solutions.
A good way to prevent this is to put a strainer or a drain cover on all sinks and showers. This can help catch small objects that would otherwise fall into the drain and get stuck. Encouraging kids not to put toys or other items in the bathroom sink is also a good idea.
Mineral Buildup from Hard Water
Water contains dissolved minerals that can lead to hard water, which causes scale buildup on surfaces and pipes. Using a water softener can prevent this and improve the longevity of your plumbing system.
Hair, dental floss, and animal fur are stringy materials that can easily knot up in the drain and combine with each other to block the entire pipe. Avoid washing these materials down the drain or throwing them away in trash cans.
Nappies and baby wipes should never be flushed down the toilet. They can solidify into a large clog and damage the sewer line or septic tank. Instead, keep these items in a garbage disposal bag and discard them with regular waste.
Tree Roots Intruding into Pipes
Trees beautify a home’s landscape but can also wreak havoc on plumbing. Unfortunately, trees’ roots have a natural inclination to grow toward any source of moisture. This makes sewer pipes an inviting target, especially when a pipe leaks or breaks.
Call a professional plumber and drain cleaners immediately if you hear a gurgling sound from your drains or suspect tree roots have invaded your sewer line. While chemical treatments like root killer and copper sulfate can help, you will likely need to have the pipes mechanically opened and repaired.
You may even need to replace the entire clogged sewer line. Modern plumbing materials are designed to be more resistant to root penetration.
Excessive Toilet Paper & Paper Towels Use
After a long day on the farm or a muddy soccer game, hopping into the shower and washing away all that dirt is tempting. However, leaving garbage disposals behind can cause clogs that lead to pipe damage and leaks.
Similarly, flushing paper products that are not designed to be disposed of causes clogs in pipes and sewer lines. Examples include cotton swabs, wipes, cosmetic towelettes, diapers, and feminine hygiene products.
These products can grow to 10 times their original size when they are flushed and do not dissolve like toilet paper. This can cause blockages that require professional assistance to remove.
Broken or Collapsed Sewer Lines
A collapsed drain pipe is a nightmare scenario, resulting in water or sewage backing up into your home. Bacterial contamination and foul odors can cause extensive damage and health risks.
A deteriorated sewer line can be caused by erosion or by tree roots. Roots can enter the line through the smallest cracks as they seek water and moisture. The line may also break due to wear and tear or extreme cold temperatures.
An increase in rodent or insect activity is another symptom of a broken sewer line. Cockroaches and palmetto bugs can easily wriggle through sanitary sewer cracks to enter your home. They can then breed and create a serious hazard to your family’s health.
Improper Installation of Plumbing Systems
The pipes running through your home are constantly under pressure and strain. If not installed properly, they can corrode, deteriorate, or develop small cracks, leading to drain clogs.
A clogged drain is more than an inconvenience; it can release foul odors and impede your home’s water flow. Preventive measures and regularly scheduling a professional drain cleaning service can help you avoid these problems.
If you hear a gurgling sound while a drain is working, this indicates a partial blockage in the system. This can be a sign of many different issues and requires immediate attention.
Conclusion
If left unaddressed, clogged drainage systems can cause significant inconvenience and even serious damage to your home. By taking proactive measures like using strainers, disposing of waste properly, and scheduling regular professional cleanings, you can maintain a smooth plumbing system and functioning drainage system and avoid costly repairs. If clogs persist despite these efforts, don’t hesitate to consult a professional plumber to address the issue before it escalates.
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