Pipe clogs are never a fun situation. It can be surprising and occur at the worst possible time, like when you’re running late for work or when guests are about to arrive. Or, maybe you’re the guest who discovers the host has clogged pipes. No matter the situation, it can be challenging to fix the problem and also find out what exactly is causing the problem. Clogged pipes can typically be due to the same number of issues we see over and over again. It depends on the room, whether it be a kitchen, bathroom, or another area of the house. We’ve looked at the most common cause to keep you aware of what to watch out for when you let things go down your sinks.
Why Do Clogs Occur?
Drainage systems in a home are made like trees. You have the mainline, which is typically the largest pipe that runs into the sewer, similar to the trunk of a tree. Then you have lines of pipes that connect at different spots, like branches on a tree. While the toilet is the most common pipe to get clogged, it can happen anywhere. A blockage can get lodged in any pipe, but with an inspection, we can narrow it down. This matters because if it comes from the water or sewer mainline, then your whole house could be in trouble. However, if it’s with a sub-line, then the problem will be isolated to one part of the house.
So, which type of clogs do we see the most that you can avoid?
Hair Clogs
Hair can build up in your shower drain, and no, it doesn’t matter how short or long your hair might be at the time. Of course, longer hair is easier to notice and can bunch up more. This isn’t so much a problem that you can prevent, although you can do your best to protect the drain as much as possible to prevent it from clogging. Small screens or drain hair catchers are great ways to gather fallen hair as long as you frequently clean it out. Depending on the type of drain and drain cover you have, it’s a good idea to check for any hair build-up when cleaning the bathroom. A drain snake, wire hanger, needle-nose pliers, and even long tweezers can all work to pull the hair out. The more attentive you are to this issue, the less likely you will have an out-of-control clogged pipe.
Food Waste
When you’re doing dishes, never push food down the kitchen drain, even if you have a garbage disposal. An easy fix to this is creating a compost pile near your sink. This is extremely useful for tea leaves and coffee grounds which don’t break down over time. Many other foods are loaded with grease and oils that can solidify in the pipes and cause a heavy blockage. Even using a paper towel to absorb oils off pans and plates can do wonders for your pipes.
Toilet Paper And Other Items
We see toilets getting clogged far too often from simple things such as toilet paper, baby diapers, tissues, and wipes. First off, toilet paper can be dissolved in water which is why there is a difference between toilet paper and tissues. Tissues and paper towels are meant to be somewhat tough to withstand mucus and spilled items. Toilet paper isn’t made to do such things. However, using too much toilet paper will still clog your toilet. Use a moderate amount, and if you are in a situation where you need to use more than expected, give it a flush before adding on more and more.
Baby diapers may do great to hold in what should be landing in toilets, but remember, if they can hold all that, imagine what they can do to a pipe! Baby diapers can, without a doubt, no matter what, go straight to the trash. So, new parents remember to keep an extra trash can just for those diapers. Having clogs from this can cause more harm to your pipes than anything else.
Clogged? Give Us A Call
No matter what pipe clogs you come across when you get a backed-up drain or toilet, give us a call. We’ve been in the business for long enough that we’ve seen it all, and it takes a lot to surprise us. We can fix drains in any room and even work through sewer lines when needed. If you have any questions, call us today so we can help you get back into the flow of things.
