A clogged drain is a common problem in modern homes, often caused by everyday water-related activities and cleaning. Usually, drain clogs appear as a minor problem, which, if ignored, can evolve into a pipe blockage and other serious and more costly issues. You may end up with a sustained flooding problem, sewage backup, or corrosion in the house.
To protect your home and family members, you need to know what commonly causes drains to block up frequently and avoid them. Here are a few common causes of frequent blocked drains you should look out for.
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Food Waste
The seemingly negligible food particles you allow down your kitchen sink can pile up to cause drainage problems in and around your home. Many homeowners assume that just because their sink includes a garbage disposal unit, it’s okay to put food waste in the kitchen sink. Even with the garbage disposal, it’s possible for your sink pipes to be blocked, especially if there are some large chunks of waste, such as eggshells.
Tea leaves, fruit peels, and coffee grounds are also common culprits of sink blockage and shouldn’t be deposited into the drain at any time. If you suspect your drain is clogged with food deposits, you can schedule a kitchen sink drain inspection or a drain cleaning to restore normal operations.
Tree Roots
While a modern home requires lush trees and gardens to spice up its curb appeal and promote sustainable living, the roots can become a menace to your home’s plumbing. Even if trees are planted at a safe distance away from the home’s plumbing system, some roots can spread deeper and faster than expected. This is because roots often try to find water underground by all means, and the sewer system or stormwater systems offer a quicker option.
Once the roots penetrate your home’s sewer or stormwater systems, even through the slightest cracks or joints, they continue to go deeper, expanding the cracks, leading to more damage. If you notice your drain is becoming slower and water is starting to back up, you may want to check for root interference, especially if everything else looks good.
Flushable Wipes
Despite the name flushable, these wipes aren’t always safe for being flushed down the toilet, as manufacturers suggest homeowners should. The same flushable wipes are often found to clog and pose serious threats to sewer lines and drains, prompting many cities to ban them completely. Even if they safely flush out of your property’s sewer system, they will end up overflowing into other homes or local waterways.
The best way to avoid a clog caused by wipes is to dispose of them in a bin instead of flushing them down your toilet. Save your drain for biodegradable materials and water to ensure a seamless flow all year long.
Hair and Soap Scum
Whether it’s human, animal hair, or soap scum, you need to keep an eye on what goes into your drainage system when you bathe or bathe your furry friends. Whenever you take a shower or use your bathtub, hair and soap scum can accumulate in your drainage, causing it to clog after some time.
The amount of hair that can accumulate inside your drain can be surprisingly high, and if coupled with soap scum, this combination can lead to a solid blockage. With time, the scum and hair buildup can significantly reduce the diameter of drainage pipes and eventually result in blocked drains. Always ensure you have a hair drain catcher or brush your hair first before getting into the shower to minimize hair falling into the drain.
If your drain frequently gets clogged, it’s important to schedule an inspection immediately to solve the problem early. Even before you call a contractor, check the above common causes and ensure you can describe your potential problem to minimize the amount of time and resources spent on inspection.
