Clogged drains can be incredibly frustrating. They interfere with normal use of your plumbing fixtures, cause unpleasant smells, and sometimes even lead to water damage. It’s even worse if they occur repeatedly, or if you can’t figure out how to unclog them.
We’re here to help. Here are some common reasons why drains clog, ways you might be able to resolve the clogs yourself, and pointers for avoiding them in future. We’ll also cover situations where professional plumbing help is essential.
Common Clog Causes
- Hard Water: All water contains dissolved minerals, but some water contains particularly high concentrations of things like calcium, magnesium, and iron. This doesn’t pose a health risk when you drink it, but it can pose risks to your plumbing when the minerals accumulate inside your pipes, narrowing them until they clog.
- Soap Scum: It’s inevitable that soap gets washed down the drain. Just as this substance builds up on the walls of your shower or tub, it also builds up inside your pipes. Hard water can contribute to this problem as well, making it harder for the soap to fully wash away.
- Hair: When it goes down the drain, it becomes a convenient nest where soap scum can make a home.
- Fats, Oil, and Grease: These substances might go down the kitchen sink as liquids, but they solidify when they cool, plugging up your plumbing.
Home Remedies
Do not reach for a bottle labeled “drain cleaner” and pour it down your plumbing! These are caustic chemicals with hazardous fumes, meaning they pose risks to your skin, eyes, and respiratory system. They can also damage the inside of your pipes, and they don’t even do a good job of eliminating clogs.
Instead, reach for a plunger or a hand-cranked drain snake. These are safe options that can usually dislodge the worst of a clog, allowing water to begin flowing again. If you can’t resolve a clog with these methods, or your drains quickly clog again, it’s time for professional plumbing help. Trained, experienced plumbers have access to tools and training that make drain cleaning a straightforward job, so we can get your water draining smoothly with ease.
Prevention
A water softening system can reduce the effects of hard water, and hair traps can help collect hair before it goes down the drain. The simple step of wiping greasy dishes with a paper towel before washing can reduce the risk of grease clogs.
The best way to be sure you won’t encounter sudden or frequent clogs is to have drain cleaning in Winter Park, FL done as part of your routine home maintenance. This can save you from frustration, hassles, emergency plumbing needs, and even water damage. Just imagine the peace of mind of knowing there are no hair clumps, grease globs, or mineral deposits partially blocking your drains, and that you don’t have to worry about one little clump being the final straw that creates a total clog.
A Word of Warning
If you experience clogs throughout the house, not in isolated drains, or if you have unpleasant odors coming from multiple drains in the house, there could be a problem with your sewer vent. Sewer gas could be improperly venting inside your home, which is a major health hazard. Reach out for plumbing service immediately.
Contact Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. today and reach professional plumbers with the training and experience your plumbing deserves.