Regardless of the location in your home, a clogged drain can stop you dead in your tracks. For example, if your shower drain is clogged, it could soon become impossible to take a shower. Understanding the most common causes of clogged drains can help you prevent trouble before it starts. Here are some of the culprits:
1. Food
Are you the type of person who throws anything and everything into your garbage disposal? While it can handle some types of food, there are limits. For example, fruit peels and fibrous foods are a big no-no. It’s best to throw these leftovers in the trash, as opposed to putting your garbage disposal through the ringer.
2. Grease
Many people don’t know that grease should always be thrown out, as opposed to flushed down the kitchen sink drain.[i] Here’s why: a little bit of grease has the potential to do a lot of damage, as it can coat the pipes and eventually harden. And even if that doesn’t happen, it causes sludge to build-up, thus reducing the ability for the drain to do its job.
3. Wipes
From baby wipes to cleaning wipes, these should never be flushed down your toilet.[ii] Yes, it’s the easy thing to do, but it has the potential to result in a serious problem. If your drain becomes clogged with wipes, you typically have no choice but to consult a professional. Using a plunger won’t generate enough force to unclog the drain. Tip: even if the packaging says the item is flushable, don’t do it. The only thing you should put in your toilet is toilet paper. Everything else belongs in the trash.
4. Kitty Litter
For years, people have been flushing kitty litter down the toilet. While you may have gotten away with it to this point, you’re taking a big risk. As a sand based substance, it has the potential to clump in your pipes. And if that happens, you can ensure yourself of a massive clog that’ll only grow in size with each passing day.
5. Hair
You may not see it happening, but your hair has the tendency to accumulate in your bathroom sinks.
Over time, as you continually flush the hair down the drain, it has the potential to build-up inside the pipe. It can become tangled, form knots, and grab onto other objects. And just as bad, a hairball that’s clogging a drain will form a horrible smell.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the cause of your clogged drain, don’t wait to take action. If you’re unable to solve the problem on your own, perhaps because the clog is too far from the drain, contact a professional to assist you.At Boston Standard Plumbing, we have many years of experience helping homeowners eliminate clogged drains.Rather than waste your time with plungers and spend money on store-bought chemicals that can cause more harm than good, contact us. We can visit your home, clear your clogged drain, and help you avoid a similar situation in the future.
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