What Can Cause A Clogged Drain?

A home’s drains can be surprisingly delicate. You might not think about what goes down the toilet or the kitchen sink, but little things can cause damage over time. The following are some of the most common culprits of clogged drains.

Buildup

Soap and kitchen grease tend to leave small traces in the pipes. They gradually build up, narrowing the pipe with each thin layer. Eventually, the drain will become completely blocked, and you won’t be able to drain your sinks or showers.

Hair and Lint

Every time you shower, a bit of hair probably washes down the drain. Lint typically enters the drain from the washing machine. In most cases, it flows right through, but if a small piece sticks on a bump in the pipe, it will start collecting more hair and lint that end up clogging the drain.

Tree Roots

Tree roots cause plumbing problems more often than you might think. They poke holes through older pipes, sticking down into the pipe. This blockage quickly picks up other debris that escapes into the pipes, like hair or small pieces of food, causing a blockage.

Toilet Paper

Toilet paper should quickly disintegrate when wet, making it easy to wash away down the pipes. However, thicker, quilted versions don’t break down as quickly, and this can mean that they have a hard time going through the drains.

Big Items

The drains aren’t meant to handle large items. You should not flush feminine hygiene products, clumping cat litter, or any other such items. Teach your kids not to put their toys in the toilet to “see what happens.”

A clogged drain can mean big problems, but they rarely happen suddenly. In most cases, drains start to slow down before they become completely clogged. If you’re careful about letting these things into your drains, and call a plumber as soon as you notice a problem, you’ll reduce your chances of needing major repairs.

If you need help fixing a plumbing problem, contact the team at Heaney Plumbing & Heating today.