Common Causes of Clogged Drains
Clogged drains are some of the most common plumbing problems you could ever face. While a minor clog may not seem like a big deal, you must unclog the drain immediately. Even the most minor clog can become a complete obstruction, and this can cause water or even sewage to back out of the drains and water pressure to increase within the pipes. In worst-case scenarios, the clog can cause the water pressure inside the drains to become so immense that the pipes burst.
Have you ever wondered, “Why is my drain clogged?” Well, wonder no more. In this article, we’ll go over the following:
- Common causes of toilet clogs
- Common causes of shower clogs
- Common causes of bathroom sink clogs
- Common causes of kitchen sink clogs
- Signs of a clogged drain
Have a clogged drain?
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Common Causes of Toilet Clogs
Toilets are one of the most common plumbing appliances to get clogged. The most common cause is too much toilet paper. If this applies to you, some tips you can try are switching to thicker, higher-quality paper so you can use less, folding the paper rather than crumbling it, and doing a double flush.
Besides the amount of toilet paper being flushed, you also need to be mindful of what you flush. Other common causes of toilet clogs include:
- Sanitary napkins
- Baby or makeup wipes
- Dental floss
- Hair
By being careful of what you flush down the toilet, you can avoid some of the most common causes of clogged drains.
Common Causes of Shower Clogs
Showers are just as easy to clog. You’ll notice that the water drains slowly, and your tub will fill up with water faster than it can drain. The most common causes of shower clogs are loose hair and soap. To avoid clogging a shower, you can use a drain cover to catch hair and soap scum, minimize the amount of oil-based products that go down the drain, and periodically pour boiling water or vinegar down the drain to dissolve buildup.
Common Causes of Bathroom Sink Clogs
The most common causes of clogged bathroom sinks are:
- Hair: Hair is one of the most common causes of clogged bathroom sinks, as it accumulates in the drain over time.
- Soap residue: Soap scum can build up inside the drain and trap other debris, causing a clog.
- Toothpaste: Toothpaste can also accumulate in the drain, especially if you spit it out directly into the sink.
- Mineral build-up: Over time, minerals from hard water can accumulate in the drain, forming a clog.
- Foreign objects: Items such as jewelry, cotton swabs, and other small objects can accidentally fall into the sink and get trapped in the drain.
To prevent clogs in your bathroom sink, it’s important to regularly clean the drain and avoid putting items down the sink that could cause a blockage.
Common Causes of Kitchen Sink Clogs
Kitchen sinks are incredibly easy to clog because most of us will just toss everything down the garbage disposal when washing the dishes — greasy foods, leftover pasta, animal bones, etc. Unfortunately, many of these food items will end up sticking to the sides of the drains. The most common causes of kitchen sink clogs are:
- Grease and oil: Cooking oil, grease, and fat can accumulate in the drain and solidify, causing a blockage.
- Food scraps: Small pieces of food, such as fruit peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds, can build up in the drain and cause a clog.
- Soap residue: Soap scum and residue from dishwashing detergents can accumulate in the drain and trap other debris.
- Foreign objects: Items such as utensils, bottle caps, and small toys can accidentally fall into the sink and get stuck in the drain.
- Hard water deposits: Minerals from hard water can accumulate in the drain and form a blockage over time.
To prevent clogs in your kitchen sink, avoid putting food scraps, grease, and oil down the drain, use a drain strainer to catch any small items, and regularly clean the drain with baking soda and vinegar.
Signs of a Clogged Drain
Clogged drains are easy to identify. There’ll be no mistake that’s what you’re dealing with. Some common signs of a clogged drain include:
- Slow or slowing drainage
- Water backing up out of the drains
- Rising water levels in the toilet, sink, or tub
- Sewage or foul odors coming from the drains
- Gurgling sounds or air bubbles
You might also notice pools of standing water in severe situations. You must fix the problem as soon as possible, as clogs only worsen with time. The best solution is to call a professional to clean it. We can use an auger snake or a hydrojet to pressure wash the inside of the drains. More importantly, professional plumbers can assess the severity of the clog and determine where it’s located using a video auger.
We’ll Clean Your Drains!
Would you like to speak to a professional to see how you can unclog your drains? Call Cooper Heating and Cooling today at (720) 605‑7270 or contact us online. We have thousands of 5‑star reviews and have unclogged thousands of drains!