The Top Causes of Blockages in Drains

There are several kinds of drains in your house, from sink drains to floor drains to toilets. And while they may function well most of the time, every now and again you might run into issues with your plumbing. Any home with multiple drains and multiple people using them can expect to experience a clogged drain or blocked pipe at some point.

When a problem does arise, it’s important to take care of it as soon as possible, because what starts as a minor issue can quickly turn into a major problem. Take a seemingly typical drain blockage in Cleveland, TX, for example—this can cause slow draining, pipe corrosion, flooding or worse, septic backup and costly repairs. The good news is you can prevent the most common plumbing problems with regular maintenance and a basic understanding of how your home’s plumbing system works.

Here’s a look at the top causes of clogged drains and how to fix them.

Paper products

Let’s talk toilets and paper products. The only type of paper that’s okay for flushing down the toilet is toilet paper, but too much of it squeezing through the pipe all at once can clog drains and keep your toilets from flushing properly. First, observe whether water can still run through the clogged toilet when flushed. If so, use a plunger to loosen and break apart some of the toilet paper. However, if the toilet continues to fill without draining, you need to call a plumber.

Sludge

All sorts of things fall into this category, including hair, soap, shampoo, dirt and more. Over time, things like soap and hair can collect inside shower drains. To prevent this, place hair catchers in tub drains and remove accumulated debris after every use. Professional plumbers have seen it all and done it all, from removing nasty clogs to hydro-jetting pipes to snaking drains in Cleveland, TX. Generally speaking, these issues can be prevented with some smart practices.

Tree roots

Invasive tree roots can be a problem for septic and sewer lines. Roots can grow through or wrap around underground pipes, causing massive damage to your plumbing system over time. Damaged pipes only make matters worse. Small cracks or leaks can attract tree roots, and once roots find their way inside your pipes and start feeding off the water, they’ll grow quickly, restrict water flow and cause further pipe damage. Clearing tree roots from pipes is not an easy task, as it requires professional hydro-jetting service and pipe repair.

Food products

Rinsing food crumbs and residue down the kitchen sink is fine, but not large amounts of chunky food waste. Food waste goes in the trash or compost bin, not down the drain—not even when you have a working garbage disposal. Food products like coffee grounds, grease, oils, pasta, bones, fibrous vegetables and fruit pits will wreak havoc on home drains. These foods don’t break down, and oils will solidify in the pipes and cause a blockage. To avoid pipe problems, scrape food off of dishes into the trash, and pour oils into containers to dispose of properly.

If there’s a drain blockage in your Cleveland, TX plumbing system, contact All Pro Septic. We look forward to assisting you soon!

Categorised in: Drain Blockage