Top 5 Causes of Clogged Drains

Top-5-Causes-of-Clogged-Drains

If you’ve ever had a clogged or slow-moving drain, you probably have some questions. What are the most common causes of clogged drains? What clogs drains the most? How do I stop my drains from clogging?
That’s what we’re going to talk about today. Let’s get started.

The Top 5 Causes of Clogged Drains

1. Tree Roots

If you have a home with large trees nearby, your clogged or slow-moving drains might be caused by tree roots that have penetrated the underground drainpipes. And those tree roots are now obstructing the flow.
The only way to prevent and/or correct this situation is to remove the offending trees. Then you will need some type of rooter service to clear the pipes. This might include pressure jet cleaning, a trenchless repair, and maybe even excavation.

The moral of the story is—don’t plant trees with extensive root systems near your house. Tree roots typically grow two to three times the radius of their canopy. So keep that in mind the next time you decide to plant some trees.

2. Soap

Did you know that most bars of soap are actually made with grease or fat? That’s not good because the fat in your soap will combine with the minerals in your water. This results in a hard residue build-up (soap scum) which, obviously, causes clogged pipes.

To avoid having this issue, use animal-free soaps that are usually called castile, glycerin, or tar soaps.

3. Grease, Oil, Fat, and Other Food Waste

When cooking, please drain the grease and uneaten foodstuffs into your trashcan and not by putting them down your drain. Even with a garbage disposal, these things can still cause drain blockages.

4. Hair

Yep, you guessed it. Hair is another common cause of slow-moving and clogged drains. When you take a shower, it’s natural for a bit of hair to end up in the drain. But that hair, even if it’s minimal, will eventually clog your drains. You will notice your drains begin to drain slower and slower until they are completely clogged. The best way to avoid this scenario is to use a drain cover that blocks or catches the hair. Then all you have to do is clean the drain cover periodically. This will reduce the number of times you have to pay to have your drains cleared.

5. Personal Hygiene Products

Personal hygiene products include baby wipes, paper towels, Q-tips, cotton swabs, diapers, feminine products such as tampons and pads, etc. Many of these products (even those that say they are flushable) don’t break down or dissolve very quickly (if at all) when flushed. Heck, even using too much toilet paper can cause your pipes to clog.

The best way to avoid having any of these issues is to educate everyone living in your home about the dangers of flushing these types of personal hygiene products.

What’s Next?

Contact A/C Warehouse—A/C, Heating, and Plumbing today if you have a clogged or slow-moving drain. We have highly trained, specialized plumbing technicians ready and waiting to assist you. Don’t put up with that frustration any longer. We want to help.

Similar Posts