Do you find yourself dealing with clogged drains often? Some clogs can be remedied using only a plunger, but other obstructions keep reappearing. Many people want to know how to avoid all types of clogged plumbing situations—or, if they already have a problem, what solutions are available. The more you understand the causes of clogged drains, the less likely you are to encounter problems, and knowing how to identify blockages will help keep your system in good working order.
Clogged Drain Causes
F.O.G.
Oils, fats, and grease. These are the three most notorious causes of clogged kitchen sinks. Sadly, they are also the most prevalent. The issue is that these substances are all ideal for clogging drains. For starters, they are sticky. FOG rarely travels down your drain; instead, it clings to the sides of your gutters. Once they adhere to the walls of your pipes, they harden.
Hair
Hair is probably the most common culprit in drain clogs. When hair builds up, it can impede or completely obstruct the flow. We really can’t stop hair from falling out of our heads, but we can reduce the damage it causes by using drain covers and other preventative measures like keeping our sinks clean and sweeping the hair out before washing it.
Coffee Beans
Another unfortunate fact is that coffee grounds are terrible for kitchen sinks. Even if you have a waste disposal coffee grind, you should refrain from pouring or mistakenly allowing coffee grinds to drain. Coffee grounds are especially likely to cause a clog when wet because their properties change as they come into contact with moisture.
Food
Food and substances that do not break down, such as fibrous food, egg shells, and non-food items, as well as grease and oil, will accumulate in your pipes and clog your drain over time. Because of possible clogs and other plumbing issues, throwing food scraps down the kitchen sink—or into any drain is not a good idea. No food is safe for use in plumbing because most foods are sticky or stringy—or even sharp and hard.
Tree roots
Tree roots are widely recognized as responsible for most blockages and clogs in water and sewer mains. While it’s more common to find tree roots invading pipes in older homes, these intrusive organisms can take hold within systems of any age.
What to Do When Clog Occurs?
If you notice a clog in your drain, call a plumber right away. The longer your drain is clogged, the more likely it is that something will break, and you’ll have to pay for expensive repairs. If you’re faced with this problem, don’t try to fix it yourself. You might do more harm than good—and even worsen things.
Gray Plumbing can deal with all clogs, blockages, or damage to plumbing systems caused by such problems. Our trained professionals will quickly assess the situation and provide the right solution. We have the right tools and equipment needed to fix any problem with your plumbing system. We also provide various maintenance services that can help you avoid costly repairs in the future.
