Drain Cleaning 101: Everything You Need to Know About Cleaning Clogged Drains

Drainage systems in your house are more or less configured like a tree and its branches. There’s always the mainline with the widest diameter and narrower sublines connected to it. A drain system can pretty much clog anywhere, but a quality analysis from a professional plumber will help you narrow down to the issue.

Below are some causes of drain clogging:

1. Tree Roots

Tree roots have been known as the leading cause of drain clogging and blockage in sewer mains. While it’s common to think that roots only invade older pipes, tree roots can grow into any drainage system regardless of its age. This is because tree roots tend to grow in places where they can get water and minerals for growth. If you hear gurgling sounds emanating from your sinks and drains, then that’s a clear sign of root invasion.

This is especially common for those of us who live in areas like Palm Beach County with many trees growing near our surroundings. Ensure that your drains are inspected at least once a year by a plumbing expert to prevent roots from invading your drains. It is worth noting that the cost of an inspection is lower compared to the overhead cost of repairing or replacing damaged and clogged drains.

2. “Flushable” Wipes

Wet wipe boxes say flush, but your drainage system says don’t. These wipes are detrimental to your drainage system and can cause significant harm to your system. A previous report from New York indicated that the city spent about $18 million over five years just to eradicate all the wipes that clogged its Wastewater system.

The reality about flushable wipes, paper towels, thick toilet papers, and light cardboard is that they cannot be flushed down your toilet. Your drains were made to process wastewater, biodegradable toilet paper and human waste. That’s it.

3. Feminine Hygiene And Baby Diapers

Feminine hygiene and other baby products can easily block drains because they’re not biodegradable and contain excessive amounts of cotton. Sewer treatment systems often contain microorganisms and bacteria that disintegrate human organic waste but cannot break down anything else except that—even when manufacturers claim these products to be flushable.

4. Oil, Fat, and Grease

These three products are the plumbing’s greatest enemies and everything that entails it. While it’s easy to think that water always washes everything down your kitchen drains, this is never the case for fats and oils. Fats, oils, and grease are sticky and prone to cause build up and eventually clog your drains.

The general rule of thumb is to dispose of these fats, oils, and other petroleum products in a trash can rather than draining them down your kitchen sinks. If you have been choking your kitchen sinks by allowing grease to flow, consider flushing it away with a running stream of water.

5. Hair Strands

Hair is the number one culprit of bathroom drains blockage. These strands of hair accumulate to a point where they cause a slow flow or even cause total breakage. While it’s nearly impossible to prevent hair from falling off naturally, you can protect your sink with screens that trap the strands and adopting effective practices, such as cleaning hairbrushes over the trash can and sweeping hair strands out of sinks.

6. Pipe Scale

Pipe scale is a natural product that embeds itself on your pipes and can cause clogging or, eventually, total blockage. It occurs from mineral deposits from the water that flows in your drains. The scales develop over one spot and builds up consistently to obstructive sizes.