A clogged drain is a common occurrence at any property, commercial or residential. It can be annoying to have water drain slowly or have it fill up in your shower or sink more so than usual. Especially since toilets, sinks, showers, and more are typically used daily. In this blog, we’ll talk about how clogged drains are caused and what you can do to avoid them from happening.
What Causes Clogs?
Since drains get so much use every day, they naturally collect and build up debris, causing them to clog. The most commonly used drains on a property are sinks, toilets, showers, and baths. In the bathroom, the most common items that cause clogged drains are hair, soap build-up, and baby wipes. In your kitchen, clogged drains can be caused by food scraps, grease, and oil.
Removing A Clog
When clogs occur, most homeowners reach for chemical drain cleaners or simply DIY solutions. These issues might help in the short term, but without a professional’s help, the clog will most likely return. The reason for this is that chemical drain cleaners or other DIY remedies only address clogs at the top of the pipe and not clogs deep within your property’s plumbing system. A professional can use tools and methods to go deep within your plumbing system to remove the source of the problem.
How To Avoid A Clogged Drain
The following are steps you can take to help avoid and prevent your drains from becoming clogged:
- Ensure your pipes and sewer lines are properly and regularly cleaned and cleared out
- Invest in drain strainers - these can catch hair in the bathroom or food scraps in your kitchen sink.
- Avoid pouring oil down the drain. It can cool in your pipes and coat them, causing debris to stick and clog more often.
- Remove the lint from your washing machine and dryer after each use.
- Only flush paper products down your toilet. Other products won’t dissolve in water and instead build up in your home’s plumbing system.
For all of your drain cleaning needs and questions, contact Red Lilly Plumbing at (323) 319-4102!