5 Biggest Drain Clogging Culprits

5 Things That Cause Clogged Drains

Nobody wants to deal with clogged drains. But do you know what the biggest causes of blockages are and how you can avoid or fix them?

1. Hair
If you have ever shared a bathroom with someone who has quite a bit of hair you will know how much of that hair ends up on the shower floor and, eventually, going down the drain. This is a massive problem as hair doesn’t degrade very easily and clumps of it can gather in your drains at an alarming rate causing a clog. The best solution for this culprit is actually prevention – get a drain filter or strainer and clear it out after every use.

2. TP
Toilet paper is a necessary item when it comes to bathroom activities. However, if you are continually suffering from clogged toilet drains, you may need to reassess your tp situation. If someone tries to flush too much toilet paper down the toilet, it may not dissolve and could clog your drain. If you use a very plush, durable, or heavy type of toilet paper you may have the same problem as using too much. Make sure that you use only as much toilet paper as is necessary and that you reach a happy compromise between luxury, comfort, and flushability. However, if the problem persists, you may need to call in a qualified plumber to unclog your drain before you see an improvement.

3. Grease
Grease is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to clogged drains in the kitchen. If you have ever seen what happens to grease once it cools or is exposed to water, you will understand why this could be a potential problem. Grease that isn’t properly disposed of (preferably in a jar or bag in the bin) can coat the inside of your drains, solidify, and build-up a significant blockage fairly quickly. This is not a problem that you want as it can be quite difficult to remove (remember that oil/grease and water do not mix!) If you are unsure of how to unclog a grease blockage or are nervous about handling caustic chemicals, contact an experienced plumber to help you out.

4. Food
Even the smallest amounts of food can cause a huge problem if not disposed of correctly. Food such as rice (that expands when water is added) or potato peels (some garbage disposal units struggle to process them) may cause severe blockages in your drain that will need to be removed using an auger or a plunger. If this does not work then you should seek the help of a trusted plumber. The best way to prevent this kind of clogged drain, however, is to install a drain sieve or filter and to avoid any food particles going down the drain.

5. Kids!
Not that we often find kids clogging drains themselves, but most things associated with children or their adventurous natures cause clogged drains more often than you could imagine. Diapers and toys that are flushed down a toilet are just a few of the things that can cause a major blockage. If this happens you will need a professional plumber to remove the blockage and clear the drain lines.