Common reason why your drain could be clogging

Have you noticed that your water has been draining slower recently? This may be because of a clog in your system. When gunk builds up over time it causes a buildup that could damage your plumbing system. We have dealt with a lot of calls about clogs. So let us give you some tips on what causes clogging and how to avoid it.

1) Hair

It’s normal to lose 50 – 100 hair per day so it makes sense that it is the number one reason for clogs in the drain. When hair gets into the drain it can get tangled in the system. This makes it hard for water to pass through. Instead of waiting for a clog to occur, we recommend getting a hair guard. It’s a simple device that can collect the hairs before it gets into the drain and causes a problem in the first place. It’s an inexpensive solution and easy to clean as well.

2) Toilet Paper

Whenever we’re called for a clog for the toilet the problem is from the toilet paper. The materials used for toilet paper aren’t flushable. Even toilet paper marketed as flushable only has that name because it’s easy to fit them in the pipes not because they disintegrate easier. Toilet paper can stay in the plumbing system for long periods of time and buildup which causes your toilet to overflow. You could try getting rid of this problem by filling the toilet halfway with hot water and flushing. The extra water helps put more pressure on the clog and helps move it out of the system. Or you could use a plunger to get rid of the problem if you have one.

3) Feminine Hygiene Products

These items are meant to absorb an enormous amount of liquid. So when they are flushed down a toilet they’ll immediately absorb the water and cause a clog. Since they are made with materials such as cotton and nylon they are not flushable and could wreck the plumbing system. These products were not made to be biodegradable. Any product that claims otherwise should not be trusted. Which is why it’s better to dispose of these products in the proper way. If you do believe that the products have caused a clog we recommend using a plunger.

4) Food

When you find clogs in the sink it’s because of the food in the system. It’s unavoidable since we have to clean our fruits and vegetables that they can fall down the sink. But that isn’t the only problem using garbage disposals isn’t the right way to get rid of your food either. While food may be mashed for easier disposal with this device this doesn’t account for the oils in the meal. Grease and oils are the largest contributors of clogs in the sink drains. Plus some things like coffee beans are hard to dispose of using a garbage disposal. So Instead of using a garbage disposal why not start a compost pile. It’s better for the environment anyway.

5) Minerals

Water contains varying amounts of minerals depending on the neighborhood. So a buildup of mineral deposits could be causing your clog problem. Water with high calcium and magnesium is called hard water. While they are not harmful to humans when warm water is used these minerals are left behind in the system as water precipitates. This can cause serious problems to your plumbing systems so we suggest getting a water softener. This device gets rid of the calcium and magnesium ions in the water supply so you’re less like to have this problem occur.

6) Tree Roots

Tree roots are another problem that you may not have control over. You’ll notice that it occurs more often in older homes as there are more trees in the area. The reason why tree roots grow in pipes is because they are drawn to the water sources. So these roots make their ways through the cracks and grow in the pipe over time. This causes a blockage to occur in the pipe. Tree roots are the hardest to get rid of in pipes because this involves pipe replacement. This ensures that the new plumbing system doesn’t have any cracks they can make their way in through.

7) Water

This is common during the wintertime. The water in the pipes need to be at a certain temperature so it doesn’t freeze. But a number of problems could cause frozen pipes to occur. The best way to ensure this doesn’t happen is to keep your home at a steady temperature and insulate any pipes that may be out of the home. If you do notice that your pipes may have frozen let a small amount of water trickle through so that the running water helps the ice melt. No one wants a busted pipe in the cold season so make sure you follow these steps to ensure a safe plumbing system.

How do you know if you have a clogged drain?

It’s always good to know early on if you have a clogged drain so that you can fix this issue immediately. A few ways you can tell if your drain is clogged is:

1) Drains slower than usual

This could indicate that a clog is making it hard for the water to leave the system. The slower the water drain the worse the clog.

2) Gurgling Noise

This sound occurs when air is trying to flow through the water in the drain. When there is a blockage this happens but the sound means there is still time to fix the issue.

3) Foul Odor

When there are clogs in the system bacteria grow and cause foul odors to emerge.

4) Poor Water Pressure

When there is a clog in the system it’s hard for water to come in or out so when you turn on the tap you may notice that water flows out weaker than it used to.

What do you do if you have a clogged drain?

While we gave you some tips on how to get rid of a clog some problems can’t be solved without the help of a professional. Call a plumber. We can do a camera inspection to find out what’s causing the clog and deal with it without causing a disruption to your home. With our water cleaning services, you can rest assured that your pipes will be free of any gunk and last longer in your home.