A Lot of things could clog your drain, and it can be both frustrating and inconvenient. It can also cause overflow damage to your home and you wouldn’t want that. Whether it’s hair or grease that’s causing your drain to get clogged up you should familiarize yourself with these common drain cloggers so you can avoid letting them go down your drain. Here are some common culprits of clogged drains.
Hair
Hair is a common problem. People often leave their hair down the drain, and it can wrap around the pipe and clog the drain. This will cause your sinks to spill over onto your bathroom floor, which is not a fun experience.
If you’re having this problem, here’s what you should do. Remove all of the hair from your drains every week so that they stay clear and clean. If that doesn’t work, try using rubber gloves and tongs to get up as much of the hair as possible before using a plunger to push out whatever remains in there (remember not to use harsh chemicals or baking soda). Call your local plumber to help you with this if you don’t have any time to do it yourself. They can also maintain your drains regularly to help keep them free of any clogs.
Grease and oil
No one wants to deal with a clogged drain, but it’s something that can happen. A clog can occur because of several things—grease and oil are not water-soluble, which means they don’t dissolve in water. This means that if grease or oil goes down your sink drain, it will harden on the walls of your pipes. This is what causes a clog; when enough grease builds up in your pipes and drains, they become almost completely blocked by this buildup, forcing you to find some way to get rid of it before it becomes too much for even you (or another professional) to handle!
Fortunately, there are some simple ways you can prevent this from happening. First, of all, make sure you always use a drain stopper or strainer when cooking with oils or fats so any excess doesn’t go down your sink drains at all—this will help keep them from getting stuck in there. You can also think about installing a grease trap if this is a common problem for you.
Hard water and Soap scum
Hard water is one of the most common causes of clogged drains and pipes in your home. This is because hard water contains minerals (such as calcium) that have accumulated over time, creating a layer on the inside surface of your pipes. This mineral buildup can restrict flow or block it entirely, resulting in a clog drain that will only get worse if left untreated.
Soap scum is a buildup of soap, hard water, and minerals that can build up over time. The more soap you use and the harder your water is, the more likely it is that you’ll have this problem. Soap scum can cause clogs in drains by collecting in crevices in pipes and causing them to become restricted.
Coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are a go-to breakfast staple, but they can be harmful to your drains. They’re made up of thousands of small particles that can clog the inside of your pipes and cause them to get blocked. Composting coffee grounds instead is a great way to make use of them since they’re rich in nutrients.
A single cup of coffee can contain up to 20 grams of ground, which is a lot. When you consider that most people drink at least two cups per day, it’s easy to see how that adds up quickly.
Dental floss
Dental floss is notorious for getting stuck in the drain, where it can wrap around the pipes and cause a clog. It’s also pretty thin and easily falls down the drain—so if you accidentally drop it in your sink or tub, don’t be surprised if you have to fish it out. It’s important to note that dental floss isn’t the only thing that can cause a clog. To avoid clogs, always dispose of dental floss properly (down the waste basket) and avoid dropping any objects down your sink or tub drain.
Food particles
Food particles can get stuck in the drain and cause clogging, which is why you should never pour grease down the drain. Food particles don’t just attract pests—they can also cause bad odors, and if you have to clean up the mess on your own, you may end up with a clogged drain again.
If you have a garbage disposal and it’s not working properly, you should get it checked out by a professional plumber. They can look at the model and determine if there is anything wrong with it; if there is, they can fix it for you in a jiffy.
Soap
Soap is a common culprit for drain clogs. It leaves behind a residue that can build up over time, causing plumbing problems and skin irritation. Soap is bad for the environment, too.
You’ve probably heard that it’s bad to use too much soap in your washing machine or dishwasher, but did you know that using too much soap can also cause clogs? If you have a tub or shower overflow drain in your bathroom (the one with the pop-up stopper), then you should only use shampoo or body wash—no bar soaps. The same goes for kitchen sink drains—only liquid hand soap or dish liquid.
Paper towels and facial tissues
You may be tempted to use paper towels or facial tissues as a substitute for toilet paper. But these items are not meant to go down the drain, and they can easily clog drains. Facial tissue can also cause blockages in your plumbing system if it is flushed down the toilet because it does not dissolve easily. This is particularly true if you have a low-flush toilet. If you find yourself in a situation where you have no other option but to use paper towels or facial tissues, wrap them up tightly in a plastic bag and throw them away when you get home.
Flushable wipes or feminine hygiene products
Certain types of feminine hygiene products, like tampons and pads, can cause clogs in your drain. These items should not be flushed down the toilet because they will build up inside pipes and cause serious damage or blockages. Instead, place these items in the trash where they belong.
If you do accidentally flush any type of feminine hygiene product down the toilet: don’t panic. You may have to call your local plumber to come to fix it for you but there are things that you can do yourself before calling someone else out to deal with it too.
Call Coyote Plumbing AZ
Now that you know the things you shouldn’t put down your drain, it should be easier to avoid clogged drains in the future. If you do have a clog, don’t worry about it too much—your local plumbers are here to help. Just give us a call at (623) 288-4509.
If you are experiencing a clogged drain, contact Coyote Plumbing AZ for help. We’re the best plumbing company in Scottsdale, AZ, and we offer services like water heater installation and affordable plumbing services to residents of all ages. We also provide emergency plumbing to ensure that your home or office is fully functional at all times.
