This is another kind of plumbing issue that could be experienced in your home. No matter the cause of the clog, it is usually a pain in the neck and should be prevented.
Some causes of clogged drains are:
- Toilet Paper and Wipes
Toilet paper is the only advisable paper product or hygiene product that should be flushed down any of your drains. Wipes do not dissolve easily and can cause a clog overtime.
If the paper product doesn’t break down properly, it gets stocked with soap scum, hair or animal fur and anything else in your drain. Over time, it causes a blockage in the drain.
- Hair or Animal Fur
This is another cause of clogged drains, especially in showers and bathtubs. If you have pets and usually give them baths in your bathtub or sink, then animal fur can cause a significant clog too.
Hair and fur combine with soap scum to form thick, persistent clogs in your pipes.
How to Prevent Hair and Animal Clog
The amount of hair and fur that gets into your pipes can be reduced by using a drain screen. Brushing your hair before getting in the shower can also help to cut down on hair clogs in your drain.
- Soap Scum
Soap scum is another major culprit of clogged drains. As soap residue moves down the drain, it mixes with hair and other materials down there to cause a clog in the pipes.
- Food Particles
When it comes to clogged sinks or drains, food particles are a big problem to deal with. You’ve got to be careful of the kind of food you’re disposing of down the drain, to avoid clogging.
Do not put things like rice, pasta, eggshells or leaves down the drain because these materials can get caught on soap scum and any other obstructions in your pipes, resulting in a seriously clogged sink.
How to Prevent Food Particles Clog
- Avoid using your sink drain as a garbage disposal unit.
- It is also advisable to use a drain plug, cover, or screen to help keep food particles from getting down into the drain.
- Fat, Oil and Grease (F.O.G)
When fat, oil and grease find their way into your drain, they solidify and form a stubborn blockage which could result in damage or leaks.
The best way to avoid your sink or pipes from being clogged with fat, oil or grease is never to dispose of it down the drain.