Reasons for Your Clogged Drains

Is the water taking a while to drain in your sink or, even worse, not draining at all? You probably have a clogged drain. Clogged drains are common plumbing problems and can be extremely frustrating. Once you know what is causing these blockages in your pipe, you can prevent them from forming, saving you money on costly repairs. Below are some common household clogs. 

Fats, Oils, & Grease: When cooking things like bacon or ground beef, you might pour small amounts of cooking fats or grease down your drain without thinking about it. Although these substances may appear harmless, they can cause a significant amount of damage to your pipes. Instead of pouring grease and fats down the drain, you should pour them into a jar that you can throw away in the garbage. 

Hair: Human hair and animal fur are major contributors to a clogged drain. When washing yourself or a pet, some hair is bound to fall off in the process. To prevent them from going down the drain, you should invest in drain guards to collect all the hair. Drain guards and yearly cleanings will help keep your pipes clear of any blockages.

Soap: You may be surprised to hear that soup can actually be a culprit to clogged drains. Many soap bars are made out of animal fat and, when combined with water, create “soap scum.” When soap scum combines with hair and other mineral buildup, it will cause a clog. If you have noticed that your bar soap is leaving visible soap scum, then you may want to consider switching to liquid soap.

Food Scraps: Along with fats, oils, and grease, you should not be putting any food down your drains. Food items such as pasta, eggshells, and coffee grounds will attach with soap scum and create quite a clog. Getting a drain cover and scrapping any scrapes into the garbage will help prevent these items from going down the drain.