Nearly every homeowner or building proprietor has dealt with clogged drains pipes at some point. Whether it’s the cooking area, shower, or bathroom, the incorrect points do obtain tossed down the drainpipe every now and then– and this can trigger standing water, overflowing, or various other frustrating troubles. Right here are the most common clog-causers out there:
Grease And Fat
Don’t think you can get away with dumping that grease and fat down your kitchen sink! Trust us, it will cause a clogged drain. Although grease and fat have earned the title of “Most Common Cause of Clogged Drains”, it’s also one of the easiest clogs to avoid. All you need to do is not put them down the sink! Grease and fat are very sticky and will stick to the sides of the pipes, clogging the drains so much that nothing can get through. Instead of getting rid of grease and fat down the drain, you can actually save it for cooking. Or, if you actually do need to get rid of it, put it inside a plastic bag sealed up tightly, and put it in the garbage.
Too Much Toilet Paper
Yes, toilet tissue was made to be flushed. Nevertheless, that doesn’t suggest you must go nuts with it. In excessive quantities, bathroom tissue items can stick together as well as can end up being affixed onto anything inside the drain, which can cause an obstruction which causes a clogged up drainpipe. Therefore, try to only utilize what you need– and also utilize the trash bin for tissues.
Hair
You wouldn’t think that hair could cause such big drain clogging problems, because it seems pretty delicate. However, hair build-up in shower and bath drains is one of the number one culprits for clogged drains. And if you’ve ever cleaned it yourself, you know it can get pretty nasty. The best thing to do for hair clogs is to have them cleared (a plumber is best when the clogs are pretty serious), and then use a hair catcher in the shower to stop hair from finding its way down the drain.
Foreign Objects
There are just certain things out there that people try to flush when they shouldn’t. Diapers, female sanitary items, soap, and baby wipes are some of the most common mis-flushed items. Baby wipes don’t “break up” in water the way toilet paper does, and diapers will actually hold water when they’re submerged, making them grow so big that they get stuck and cause clogged drains. Most of the time, it’s discovered fairly fast that these items aren’t to be flushed, but it still happens. Children trying to flush toys is another common occurrence. To prevent clogs from things like this, many people put a friendly sign near their toilets that say something like: “Only toilet paper allowed in here!”
As you can see, there are many things that we should avoid dumping down our drains in order to keep them functioning properly. It’s always a little more difficult with small children or lots of guests, but with good training and clear instructions, you can help others (and yourself) avoid clogged drains due to the wrong things entering the mix.
If you do happen to find yourself with a major clog, let us know! Our plumbing experts at Fitz’s Plumbing Repair can help clear up the problem and get your toilet, shower, or sink back on track.