Where Do Most Clogs Occur in House Drains?
BY MET Plumbing LLC | July 3, 2017
A clogged drain is no fun. In the modern world, we tend to take things like plumbing for granted —it just works when we need it to work, and that’s the end of the story. That holds true most of the time, but problems do pop up on occasion, even within a quality plumbing system. If you have a clogged drain in your home and need professional assistance, please contact MET Plumbing & Air Conditioning right away.
A Basic Understanding
Before getting into specific locations throughout your home which may wind up clogged, it is a good idea to take a big-picture view of this issue. Why does a drain become clogged in the first place?
Whether it is a shower drain or a clogged sink, the underlying problem is very simple—something went down the drain that was not able to make the entire trip through the plumbing and out of the home. No matter what happens to be lodged in the pipe, the water is not going to drain properly, and you will need to look for a fix. From a slow-draining sink to a completely clogged toilet, it is a good idea to address plumbing issues as soon as possible.
When you think about a clogged drain, you may first think about something significant in size making its way down the drain by accident. For instance, maybe you dropped a large piece of food down the kitchen drain, rather than sending it through the disposal, or maybe you flushed something down the toilet that wasn’t able to make it all the way through and out the pipes. That is certainly one type of clog, but another type maybe even more common.
When small debris builds up over time, a pipe may simply get narrower and narrower until it no longer works as intended. No matter which type of clog you are facing, the assistance of a 24-hour plumber should help you solve the problem.
The Dreaded Toilet Clog
Of all the drains in your home, this is probably the one that you would like to avoid getting clogged, for obvious reasons. Dealing with a clogged toilet is not an enjoyable experience, but you need to make sure it is addressed quickly before a bigger problem arises. You don’t want the clog to become so severe that the water overflows the bowl and makes a mess all over your floor.
Typically, it is not the human waste that goes down the toilet which is going to cause any kind of problem. More often, other items lead to trouble. Specifically, things that aren’t going to dissolve in water can lead to issues, such as feminine hygiene products or diaper wipes. As a homeowner, one of the best things you can do to steer clear of a toilet clog is simply to be smart about what you put down the toilet. Beyond toilet paper, there isn’t much else that you should be flushing on a regular basis.
Shower Clogs Are a Big-Picture Issue
When you notice that the water in your shower is not draining as quickly as it used to, chances are good that your drainpipe is clogged, at least to some degree. Not only do you want to take care of the problem so the water can flow freely, but you’ll also enjoy your shower more without dirty water building up around your ankles.
The cause of a shower drain clog is normally going to be an accumulation of items like hair, dirt, soap, and more. As these things go down the drain day after day, they will slowly build up and narrow the width of the pipe. If you fail to address the problem when it is new, it’s only going to get worse as time goes on and more debris is washed down the drain with every shower.
This is one of those areas where a bit of maintenance along the way can help you stay on track in the long run. Work to clear out your pipe when the water starts to drain a little slow, and you can hopefully avoid a full-on clog later on.
Habits in the Kitchen
It’s easy to get a bit lazy in the kitchen. After all, you have a busy life to keep up with, and you can’t necessarily follow all of the standard kitchen “rules” while preparing meals for your family. Unfortunately, some of this laziness can wind up leading to a clogged drain. You don’t really want much beyond water going down your kitchen drain unless those are small bits of food that are running through the garbage disposal on their way out.
One of the biggest sins seen in the kitchen, from a drain perspective, is sending grease or oil down the pipes. This seems like the most convenient option when you need to drain the grease out of a pan during the cooking process—but don’t fall for this temptation. Sending grease or oil down your pipes is likely to lead to caking on the inside of the pipes, and you’ll be on your way to future clogs. Rather than pouring grease and oil down your pipes, try collecting these substances in a can so they can be disposed of safely in the garbage.
No Time to Waste
Even with the best habits, you are still likely to encounter trouble with your pipes from time to time. When that happens, contact MET Plumbing & Air Conditioning right away. We’ll be happy to take care of the problem in a timely manner, and we always provide our customers with fair rates and great service. We look forward to serving you soon!
