9 Common Causes of Drain clogs

Having clogged drains in your home can be a real hassle, especially with the holidays right around the corner. Not only do clogged drains cause slow water flow, but they can lead to a more expensive problem such as your sewer backing up and flooding.

If you are concerned that you may have a clogged drain its important to check and see if something has possibly been disposed of in a toilet, drain or garbage disposal that does not belong there.

In this post I will be talking about the 9 most common culprits of clogged drains that we encounter here at RootBusters Plumbing.

1.     Grease, fat and oil

With the holidays approaching and all the preparations in the kitchen your chances of having a clogged kitchen sink line increases. It’s important to take the time to properly dispose of any grease, fat or oil and to never pour it down your drains. These substances solidify over time causing buildup and decrease water flow, causing serious damage to your drainage system.

2.     Food waste

Food waste is a common cause to clogged kitchen sinks. It is a common misconception that you can put food down your sink if you have a garbage disposal. Even with a garbage disposal it is best to avoid putting food down your sink drains to prevent clogged drains and kitchen sink backups. An alternative would be to put the food in your garbage can or outside compost.

3.     Toilet paper buildup

If used sparingly, toilet paper should not be an issue in your pipes backing up. When used in excessive amounts toilet paper can clog your pipes and cause your toilets not to flush. To help prevent your toilet from backing up you can be more modest in the amount of TP used.

4.     Hygiene products

Anything other than toilet paper should never be flushed down your toilet. Hygiene products such as feminine products, flushable wipes or diapers should never be disposed of in a toilet. Even when these products are marketed to be “flush safe” this is false and these products do not dissolve in water like toilet paper. Disposing of these products down the toilet will inevitably lead to your sewer lines backing up causing you to need a main line rodding to open up your sewer line.

5.     Soap

Over time soap residue can build up in your laundry room or bathroom pipes, decreasing water flow. Soap is made with different fats and greases that over time cause the backup. Not only is soap an issue, but the substances that the soap is washing away such as dirt or hair can cause an even bigger clog.

6.     Hair and fur

Another culprit to clogged drains, especially in laundry rooms and bathrooms is hair or even animal fur. Similar to other items on this list, over time hair and fur can build up and create a drain blockage and can even stick to any soap, grease or fat buildup.

A preventative measure you can take to help prevent your drain from clogging from hair or fur is by using a drain catcher/guard. It is also important to inspect your drains regularly.  

7.     Small objects

Its possible over time for something small to slip down your drains causing a blockage. While accidents do happen there are ways you can help prevent things from going down your drains causing a blockage. You can use drain guards in your sinks and tubs to help catch anything that falls into your drain. If something does fall into your toilet it is better to put a glove on to remove the item instead of flushing it down.

8.     Mineral buildup

If you have hard water where you live, the minerals in your water cans be deposited in your pipes and cause buildup. This can become an issue that leads to slow draining water and/or a clogged main line or branch line. If this is something you are experiencing you can call your local plumber or give us a call at RootBusters plumbing to install a water softener. If this is not an option, then you will need to regularly remove sediment from your drains.

9.     Tree roots

Main line blockages can be caused by tree roots invading your pipes. This happens because tree roots are searching for water and your pipes can be an excellent source so thy are naturally drawn to them. The smallest crack in a pipe can allow a tree root to sneak in. Once the tree root invades the drain pipe it will grow larger and larger until you have a complete drain blockage.

One way you can help prevent this from happening is by having routine camera inspection done or to have one done during a main line rodding. This will allow a plumbing technician to have a visual inspection of the inside of your pipes to what is going on inside. It is important to regularly inspect your drains, especially if you live in a heavily wooded area.

With there being so many possible causes to clogged drains or slow draining water, it is important to take whatever preventative measures when possible. It is important to never put anything down your drains that does not belong there, even harsh chemicals that are marketed to unclog drain or DIY drain cleaning can cause more damage then good. If you would like to try and unclog the drain your self, it is best to use a plunger or a plumbers snake to help dislodge the clog. You can always give RootBusters a call at 844-247-ROOT to set up an appointment. From routine maintenance to emergency repairs, you can count on us to get to the root of you problem.