6 Common Causes of Clogged Drains

December 10, 2022 David

If you’re like most homeowners, you rely on your sink, shower, and bathtub to help you stay clean and fresh.

But what do you do when your drains become clogged and stop working properly?

In this blog post, we’ll take a moment to go over some of the typical causes of clogged drains so that you can avoid them in the future.

Keep reading for more information!

After learning about the causes of clogged drainage systems, you can visit https://www.diamondbackplumbing.com/scottsdale-plumbers/ to contact the best plumbers in Scottsdale, AZ.

What are the common causes of clogged drains?

If you’re wondering, “what causes clogged drains?”, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some of the typical causes of clogged drains in residential spaces.

1. Grease and fat

One of the most common causes of clogged drains is grease and fat. When hot grease cools, it solidifies and can adhere to the sides of your pipes. Over time, this buildup can narrow your pipes and cause clogs. To prevent this, avoid pouring grease down your drain and dispose of it in the trash instead.

2. Hair

Hair is another common culprit when it comes to clogged drains. When hair sheds in the shower, it can collect in the drain and create a blockage. To prevent this, invest in a drain cover or hair catcher that will collect the hair before it has a chance to go down the drain.

3. Soap scum

Soap scum is another common cause of clogged drains. This buildup occurs when soap reacts with hard water and forms a scaly residue on the sides of your pipes. Over time, this soap scum can build up and cause a blockage. To prevent this, use a mild detergent to clean your pipes regularly and invest in a water softener if you have hard water.

4. Food scraps

Food scraps are another common cause of clogged drains. When food scraps go down the drain, they can collect on the sides of your pipes and form a blockage. To prevent this, avoid putting food scraps down your drain and dispose of them in the trash instead.

5. Tree roots

Tree roots are another common cause of clogged drains. When tree roots grow into your sewer line, they can block the flow of water and cause a backup. To prevent this, have your sewer line inspected regularly and repaired if necessary.

6. Foreign objects

Foreign objects are another common cause of clogged drains. When objects such as toys, jewelry, or hair accessories are flushed down the toilet or washed down the sink, they can collect in the drain and cause a blockage

What can you do if you’re dealing with a clogged drain in your home?

If you’re dealing with a clogged drain, feel free to try out the following tips. If these tips don’t work, you may need to contact a professional plumbing service for additional help.

Use a plunger

One of the simplest and most effective ways to unclog a drain is to use a plunger. Plungers work by creating a seal over the drain opening and then using the force of air pressure to push the clog through the drain. To use a plunger effectively, you will need to cover the entire drain opening with the plunger and then push and pull the plunger up and down vigorously.

Use a drain snake

If a plunger does not work, you may need to use a drain snake. Drain snakes are long, flexible pieces of metal that are inserted into the drain to reach and break up clogs.

To use a drain snake, you will need to insert the snake into the drain until you feel resistance. Once you feel resistance, you will need to twist the snake back and forth until the clog breaks up. You can then remove the snake from the drain and flush it with water to remove any remaining debris.

Pour boiling water down the drain

Another simple way to unclog a drain is to pour boiling water down the drain. The hot water will help to break up any grease or soap scum that may be causing the clog. You should pour boiling water down your drain and then wait for 10-15 minutes before flushing it with cold water.