At some point in your life, you are going to come face to face with the frustrating problem of a clogged drain. Perhaps you turn the shower on in the morning and discover the water is pooling at the basin rather than disappearing down the drain. Or, while washing fruit in the kitchen sink, you notice the water won’t drain and is accompanied by a foul odor. These are clear signs of clogged drains, and when they happen you need to fix them as soon as possible.
Here are the 4 most common causes for clogged drains and what you can do to fix them:
1. Hair
In the shower or bath hair is pulled down the drain and into the pipes. Over time, hair can intermingle with soap and shampoo residue, creating a blockage that will eventually clog your bathroom drain.
To avoid this, you can buy an inexpensive drain guard at many hardware stores. A contraption of this type will catch most of the hair that ends up in the drain, preventing any clogs.
2. Dirt
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, chances are you will accumulate dirt on your clothes. If there is only a small amount of dirt, it shouldn’t affect your washing machine, but over time it could clog the draining system. Dirt can also clog your bathtub if you regularly wash your pets in the tub.
If there is mud or excess dirt on your clothes, rinse them off with a hose outside before sticking them in the washing machine. The same goes for any dogs that may have had too much fun outside. This can lessen the chance of any clogged drains.
3. Paper Products
The only paper product meant to go down a drain is toilet paper, and even using too much of that can clog your toilet. Paper can easily become thick and clog drains if you aren’t careful.
Flushable wipes may be the worst offenders of this. Even though they are called ‘flushable,’ if they do not travel through the pipes correctly these wipes can back up your system and cause damage that could require costly repairs. Any paper that isn’t toilet paper should be thrown in the garbage.
4. Tree Roots
Tree roots seek out moisture in the soil and, if there are any small cracks in your piping, they could begin growing into the pipes. Not only will this create larger cracks in your pipes, but it will also clog the system.
A clog of this type can cause serious and costly issues. If you believe a root has infiltrated your piping system, contact our plumbers! We have extensive experience with drain and sewer repairs.
Drain Professinals You Can Count On
Drain clogs can happen to even the most vigilant homeowners. If you are struggling with a clog that can’t be fixed no matter how many remedies you’ve tried, give our dedicated plumbers a call. We use the best, most reliable techniques to remedy all drain issues.
For high-quality drain services, call our plumbers today at (907) 268-4557 or contact us online.