Clogged drains are a common problem in many homes in Santa Rosa. In fact, there are more than 500 million clogged drains in American homes today.
If you’ve ever dealt with a clogged drain, then you know it’s not a fun experience. You can’t wash dishes or take baths, and when the water starts backing up in your sink, it’s downright scary.
In the United States, there are about 50 million clogged or overflowing drains in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. These problems can cause a lot of damage to your home, including floods and other water damage, mold growth, and even worse health risks like Legionnaires’ disease.
But why does this happen? Why do drains get clogged? And how can you prevent it from happening again?
So, in this article, we’ll answer those questions and more on why your drain line gets clogged and how to prevent drain clogs!
Why Your Drain Line Gets Clogged?
If you’ve ever had to clean your drain lines, you know it’s dirty. Sometimes, however, clogs can be caused by things other than hair or soap scum. Here are 10 common reasons for drain line clogs:
Accumulation of hair
Hair is one of the most common culprits for drainage line clogs, especially in bathroom drains. It can bind with soap scum and other substances, creating blockages over time.
Soap scum and residue
Soap scum can build up on the inside of drain lines, particularly in showers and bathtubs. When combined with other debris, it can form stubborn clogs.
Food particles
Kitchen sink drains can get clogged due to the disposal of food scraps, particularly those high in starch or fibrous. These particles can accumulate and form blockages.
Grease and fat
Pouring grease, cooking oil, or fat down the drain is a common mistake. As they cool, these substances solidify and adhere to the inside of drain lines, causing clogs.
Flushing non-flushable items
Flushing items like baby wipes, cotton balls, dental floss, paper towels, and feminine hygiene products down the toilet can lead to clogs. These items do not break down easily and can cause blockages in the plumbing system.
Tree root intrusion
Tree roots seeking water and nutrients can infiltrate underground sewer lines, causing blockages and pipe damage. This is more common in older plumbing systems or if trees are planted in close proximity to the lines.
Mineral deposits
Hard water contains minerals that can accumulate inside sewer lines over time, reducing the diameter and impeding water flow.
Structural issues
Drain lines may develop structural problems, such as misaligned pipes, bellies (low points where debris collects), or collapsed sections. These issues can cause persistent clogs.
Foreign objects
Accidentally dropping or allowing small objects like jewelry, toys, or small tools to enter the drain can lead to blockages.
Aging pipes
Over time, pipes can deteriorate, corrode, or develop leaks. This can cause debris to get caught on rough surfaces or collapsed areas, leading to clogs.
20 Tips for Preventing Drain Clogs
Drains are a critical part of your home’s plumbing system. They help prevent water from backing up, causing flooding and other problems. But without proper maintenance, drains can clog and cause major damage to your home.
Here are 20 tips for preventing drain clogs:
Use drain screens or covers.
Drain screens or covers prevent food particles from going down the drain by allowing you to wash them away with the rest of your dishes. They also keep hair and other debris out of your pipes, which can cause major clogs over time.
Dispose of grease properly.
Grease is one of the biggest culprits in clogged drains because it congeals inside pipes over time, making them more susceptible to clogs. When possible, pour hot water down your sink after you’ve cooked with oil or grease so that it will break apart into smaller pieces that aren’t as likely to cause problems later on; otherwise, consider disposing of used oil in a container until you’re ready to recycle it instead (or send it off for recycling).
Avoid flushing non-flushable items.
If you’re a regular at your local plumbing store, you might notice that they have a special aisle dedicated to “flushable” products. These products are designed to disintegrate in water, so you can flush them down the toilet and not worry about clogging it up. However, there are still some things that are labeled as “non-flushable.” These include paper towels, napkins, and facial tissue — even if they say they’re flushable! If you have any of these items in your home, make sure they don’t go down the drain when you’re done using them so you don’t have to worry about how to drain water lines later.
Clean hair from brushes before showering.
It may seem like a small thing, but taking just a few extra minutes to clean the hair out of your brushes before showering can save a lot of headaches when the drain is clogged up with hair and other gunk that has built up in your system over time (gross!). The only way to learn how to drain water lines in a house is by keeping your drains clear at all times—and that means removing all of those nasty bits before they have any chance of blocking up your pipes again!
Use a drain strainer in the kitchen sink.
Drain strainers are small, round pieces of metal that can be placed in your kitchen sink to catch food and other debris before it reaches the drain. They come in many different sizes, so choosing one that will fit snugly into your sink’s drain without getting stuck or blocking water from flowing through is important.
Dispose of food waste properly.
Most people know they should dispose of their garbage in a trashcan, but what about food waste? Food scraps can clog drains because they’re sticky, but they also attract other debris like dirt and hair that can get stuck in your pipes and cause clogs further down the line. That’s why it’s important to dispose of food scraps properly by composting them or throwing them into your trashcan instead of down the sink drain.
Run hot water after use.
Running hot water after use is important because it helps loosen any grease and food particles that might be stuck in the drain. This will keep your drains clear and prevent future clogs!
Avoid pouring chemicals down the drain.
Chemicals like bleach can damage pipes, so don’t pour them down the drain unless you want to worsen your plumbing problems. Instead, try using a natural cleanings product like baking soda or vinegar every once in a while to get rid of tough stains on dishes or even in your toilet bowl!
Regularly clean the garbage disposal.
A good rule of thumb is to clean out your garbage disposal every few weeks as part of your regular cleaning routine. If you don’t have time for this task every week, try doing it once a month instead! It’s easy enough that most people can fit it into their schedule with minimal effort (but lots of benefits).
Be mindful of what goes in the garbage disposal.
It’s best to avoid putting anything into your garbage disposal that you might consider “stringy.” Stringy foods can get tangled up in your garbage disposal and cause a clog. If you have stringy food, try chopping it up before throwing it down the drain.
Keep outdoor drains clear.
When leaves and other debris build up in your outdoor drains, they can cause a clog that blocks the flow of water and prevents it from draining properly. To avoid this issue and learn how to drain outside water lines, keep your outdoor drains clear at all times so that they don’t get blocked by excess leaves or other debris.
Avoid excessive use of toilet paper.
While we’re all guilty of using too much toilet paper sometimes (we’re human!), using too much can lead to clogged drains because the toilet paper will build up in the pipes instead of breaking down as it should. To how to clean out septic tank drain lines, try using less toilet paper each time you go number two!
Install water softeners.
If you’ve got hard water, then you know what we’re talking about—keeping your pipes unclogged is impossible. The best thing to do is install a water softener that will remove all of the calcium and magnesium from your water, keeping it soft and helping prevent clogs.
Flush with hot water periodically.
Hot water dissolves grease and other gunk better than cold water, so run some hot water through your drain every few days to clear out any blockages before they become a problem.
Educate household members.
Everyone in your home needs to know how to dispose of grease, hair, and other materials that can clog drains. Make sure everyone understands how important it is for everyone to pitch in by cleaning up after themselves so that no one has to deal with clogged drains.
Be cautious with chemical cleaners.
Chemicals can damage your pipes and cause the clog to get worse. If you need to use a chemical cleaner, try only to use it once or twice per month and avoid pouring it down your drain when it’s full of water.
Clean your shower drain regularly.
It may seem like a lot of work to clean out your entire shower drain, but it’s worth the effort! Just run some hot water down the drain and then use a brush to clean out any built-up gunk that’s been sitting there for months (or years).
Trim tree roots around your house.
Tree roots can grow into anything—including your plumbing pipes! If you don’t want to deal with clogged drains or broken pipes later on, make sure that you trim back the tree roots near your house, and PVC drain lines on rooftop units should be insulated so they don’t have anywhere to grow into.
Address plumbing issues promptly.
You don’t want to ignore a leak or broken pipe because it could lead to bigger problems down the line if not fixed quickly. If you notice something unusual about your plumbing system, call a plumber in Santa Rosa immediately so they can address the problem before it worsens!
Schedule professional drain cleaning.
Drain clogs are the bane of your existence. They happen, they happen often, and they’re not going anywhere. So instead of spending every night before bed dreading that you’re going to wake up in the morning to find your kitchen sink full of water, take action! Hire a professional drain cleaner like Holman Plumbing to come out and clear those clogs for you so that you can get on with your life.
The Big List of All Things You Shouldn’t Put Down Your drainage pipe
You’ve probably heard the phrase “Don’t put that down the drain” before. But have you ever wondered what not to put down your drainage pipe?
Well, we did. And we decided to make a list of them all.
Here’s our big list of things you shouldn’t put down your drainage pipe:
1. Garbage
2. Food
3. Rubbish
4. Feces
5. Tampons and sanitary pads
6. Diapers (soiled or otherwise)
7. Cotton balls and cotton swabs
8. Condoms (used or unused)
9. Food waste
10. Medical waste
11. Cigarette butts
12. Paper towels
13. Hair
14. Nails
15. Fats and oils, including grease from cooking and oil-based paint products
16. Cotton Balls
17. Plastic Bags
18. Gum
19. Coffee grounds
20. Animal waste (including dog poop)
Get A Permanent Solution to Your Drain Blockage with Hydro Jetting!
We understand how frustrating it can be to deal with a clogged drain, especially when trying to prepare for work or school. At Holman Plumbing, we offer Drain Line Cleaning and Hydro jetting in Santa Rosa and surrounding areas.
When you have drain lines cleaned by our team at Holman Plumbing, we take care of everything for you—from removing the mess to ensuring your drains are running smoothly again. And because we use hydro jetting, which is a much more thorough procedure than traditional drain cleaning methods, your drains will never clog up again!
With our expert services, you’ll be able to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your drains will work properly forever—or at least until we think it’s time for another cleaning! Our team of Hydro Jetting experts will clear your drains so that you can get back to your daily routine without worrying about clogged drains.
The best thing? Our experts are certified, insured, and ready to help you out of your jam. We’ll get to the root of your problem and leave you with a clean bill of health—no more clogs or backups for you! Just give us a call today at (707) 504-0974!