Hair
Both human and pet hair are one of the most common reasons that a drain gets clogged. It can clump and knot together, which increases its size, and it can easily attach itself to parts of your pipes to cause a clog, especially in the shower. It can also combine with grease and soap to cause a blockage.
A professional can use specialized equipment to remove hair from your drain. Drain cleaning experts might suggest installing guards designed to catch hair and prevent it from going down the drain to avoid clogs in the future.
Food
You should try to be extra cautious to prevent any food from going down the drain, even if you have a garbage disposal. Scraps and bits of food from leftovers are another common cause of clogged drains. Those pieces of food can easily combine over time to create a blockage in your plumbing.
Try to prevent grease and oil from going down the drain, as well. Grease and oil can solidify in pipes and cause a blockage/clog. Remember to dispose of any leftover pieces of food in a trashcan or bin. Another option is to set up a food compost to collect excess food instead of throwing it away.
Toilet Paper and Hygiene Products
Too much toilet paper can easily cause your drain to clog and stop your toilet from flushing. If using a plunger doesn’t fix the problem, a plumber might be necessary to resolve the blockage.
Hygiene products, cotton swabs, and wipes should also never go down the toilet or any drain. Feminine hygiene products can absorb water and increase in size, which can easily block your pipes. It’s best only to flush human waste and small amounts of toilet paper down the toilet to prevent these types of clogs.
Soap and Dirt
Soap can also contribute to your drainage problems. Traditional soap bars contain fat, which can combine with water to create a hard residue that might attach to your pipes. Soap can also integrate with hair to create a blockage. Having a professional conduct regular pressure cleaning services on your plumbing is the best way to fix and prevent any blockages caused by soap.
It’s also a good idea to shake off any excess dirt and mud on yourself or your clothes before hopping into the shower or starting the laundry. Dirt can build up and cause a clogged drain, especially when combined with hair and soap.
