There are drain clogs all the time! How? Drain clogs can occur for several reasons, but there are ways to prevent them. By taking the time to understand the causes, you can stop clogs before they happen.
So, what are the most common causes of drain clogs and how can you prevent them? Let’s find out!
Causes of Drain Clogs and Prevention Tips
When your drain gets clogged, water and waste can escape through your pipes. If you aren’t careful, these blockages can cause severe problems down the line. That’s why regular sewer and drain cleaning is essential. Let’s review the most common causes of clogs and how to prevent them.
Grease and Fat Build-Up
When you pour oil, grease, and fats down your sink, they can block your pipes. This is because when the hot grease cools, it becomes solid and sticks to the inside of your pipes. Over time, this buildup can restrict water flow.
The solution to this problem is pretty simple. Avoid pouring grease and oils down the sink. Instead, put them into the trash and recycle them.
Hair and Soap Scum
You don’t think much about it when you take a bath or wash your hands. Unfortunately, you should be since hair and soap scum often cause slow drainage. Hair can get tangled in the pipes, leaving behind a sticky residue that clogs the pipes.
What can you do? Consider installing drain screens or hair catchers in the sink and shower. This will trap hair before it goes down the drain. Clean hair out of the drain regularly to prevent buildup.
Food Waste
Garbage disposals aren’t meant to get rid of small food scraps. Put too much food down them and your drain can clog. Fibrous foods such as potato peels, corn husks, and pasta can result in blockages.
Remember to scrape food waste into the trash before washing the dishes. Remember to keep fibrous or bulky food scraps away from the disposal.
Tree Roots
Tree roots tend to invade older homes. Those with outdoor trees are at higher risk of trees growing into the sewer lines. This happens when trees make their way into pipes in search of water. This can create blockages and damage your plumbing system.
If you live in an older home, remember to check sewer lines for signs of root intrusion. Always hire a professional plumber to remove the roots and maintain your system.
Foreign Objects
Non-degradable items like wet wipes, sanitary products, and paper towels can clog the toilet and cause drain blockages. This is because they don’t break down easily like some of their counterparts, which can block your plumbing system.
Be careful what you flush. Only flush toilet paper down the toilet. Everything else can be disposed of in the trash.
Prevent Drain Clogs Today!
By understanding the most common causes of drain clogs, you can avoid blocking your pipes, which will lead to a more efficient, longer-lasting plumbing system. Having problems with your pipes in Winnipeg? Let Lynn’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling help. Our plumbers will find the source of the blockage and remove it for you.
Want clog-free pipes? Contact us today!
