Having a clogged drain is never fun, especially during the holiday season when you need to get things done. Instead of leaving it up to mystery, here are seven possible reasons your drain may be clogged so that you can know what to look for and can prevent the problem from occurring in the future.
Hair
We shave, we wash and brush our hair, we wash it down the drain, thinking it’s never going to be a problem. But hair is the number one culprit of clogged drains. It binds grease and other stick substances together to create a huge plug that’s difficult to get rid of. To stop this problem from happening, install guards in your drains to catch the hair before it gets stuck in your pipes. For a clog, however, you can get services from maplewoodplumbing.com.
Dirt
Washing things away should get rid of dirt; that’s the point of washing in the first place. But that dirt can come back to bite you if you’re not careful. Excess dirt can build up in your pipes and cause issues that make it difficult to get anything done. Shake off any excess dirt outside before you put things in the wash.
Soap
Yes, you read right. That stuff that’s supposed to make everything clean may be the reason your drain is clogged. Traditional soap bars are made from grease and fat, which leaves a hard residue behind when combined with water. You could switch to other kinds of soap or do a few soap-free rinses at least once a week to keep your pipes clear.
Buildup of Minerals
If you have hard water, minerals are going to build up in your pipes. Installing a water softener takes care of the problem by removing the minerals altogether. If this isn’t an option for you, you may have to call your plumber on a regular basis to descale your drain.
Small Objects
If you have kids, then they’re going to throw stuff into the toilet all the time. Adult supervision will take care of this problem, as well as teaching your children that only toilet paper and human waste belong in the toilet.
Toilet Paper
Everyone wants to go for the softest toilet paper they can find, but this isn’t always good for your toilet. It can actually become difficult for your toilet to break it down into smaller chunks, which can lead to a bad clog. Always go for septic-safe toilet paper to prevent a clog from happening.
Food Waste
If you have a garbage disposal, use it. Putting food waste down anything else will definitely cause things to clog up. Also, avoid pouring grease or oil down your sinks, as the cold water will cause it to coagulate and build up along the pipes. It would be a better idea to soak up the grease with a paper towel and then throw that in the garbage.
Taking care of your drains will prolong the lifespan of your pipes so that you’ll need fewer repairs in the future.