7 Common Causes of Clogged Drains and How to Prevent Them

 

Everyone who lives in a place with modern plumbing has experienced a clogged drain. Here are seven causes of clogged drains and some ways to try to prevent them or at least make them easier to clear.

 

1. Limescale

Limescale is a crust that builds up inside the pipes because of hard water. Eventually, clogs develop because the pipes are so narrow very little can get through. One way to get rid of limescale clogs is through hydrojetting provided by a plumber. Limescale buildup can be avoided altogether by installing a water softener to take the culprit minerals out of the water.

 

2. Hair

Whenever a person washes their hair in the shower or sink, some is bound to come out and may form clogs. The way to prevent clogs from hair or the fur of pets is to install a drain cover. Another good idea is to wash pets outside. Along with keeping fur out of the drain, it’s a lot of wet, sudsy, messy fun.

 

3. Grease and Oil

Grease and oil are two of the main culprits when it comes to clogs. If a person cooks, it’s inevitable that a bit of grease or oil finds its way into the drain. However, there are people who actually pour cupfuls of used oil or grease down their drains. Grease and oil cling to the insides of pipes, and trap everything that slides down them. Eventually an especially nasty and hard-to-remove clog forms.

 

The way to prevent greasy clogs is to pour used oil into a disposable cup or container and dispose of it. Remember that cooking oil can be used more than once. Strain it through a coffee filter into a glass jar, and keep it for later use.

 

4. Bits of Food

Even a person who has a garbage disposal unit should be careful about what types of food they put into the appliance. They also need to be careful not to add large chunks of food even if it’s the type of food, such as non-fibrous fruits and vegetables, that the garbage disposal is supposed to handle. Discard large scrapes, or consider composting them.

 

5. Things Flushed Down the Toilet That Shouldn’t Be

The only things that should be flushed down the toilet are bodily waste and toilet paper. Even items that say that they’re flushable should not be flushed down the toilet. No type of paper besides toilet paper should be flushed. Toilet paper is made to disintegrate in the septic tank or sewer, and other types of paper are not.

 

6. Tree Roots

Though this isn’t a problem inside the house, tree roots can invade sewer lines. They can become so thick and tangled that they not only cause clogs but burst the pipe. Suspect roots clogging the sewer line if every drain in the house is clogged. Removing roots from sewer lines is a job for a professional plumber.

 

7. Soap

Grease and oil are often made of fat, and fat is also an ingredient in many types of bar soaps. Hard water can combine with soap and form scum that can lead to clogs. One remedy is to liquid soap.