Nobody likes having a clogged drain, but unfortunately, they can be pretty common. Gutters tend to get clogged for various reasons, and the exact cause will vary depending on your home’s plumbing configuration. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common causes of clogged drains so you can be better prepared to deal with them if they happen in your Hurst Plumbing system. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Tree Roots
Tree roots are one of the most common causes of clogged drains, as they grow into pipes and then expand as they soak up water. As a result, it can be tough to get rid of them entirely unless you call professional Plumbers In Hurst Texas trained in cutting root systems. In the meantime, slow-moving drains or recurring clogs may be heartily frustrating until you make sure there aren’t any tree roots growing in your system. To prevent them from sneaking into your plumbing, keep landscaping away from sewer lines by at least two feet.
2. Grease Buildup
Grease buildup is another cause that tends to recur over time because it has no trouble sticking around once inside your drainpipes. If your sink takes a long time to drain, it could be because there’s too much topical grease inside the pipes. Simply turning on the water won’t flush away the gunk that has collected since you used your last cleaning product! The best way to get rid of this type of clog is by using a commercial drain opener or an enzyme cleaner after pouring quite a bit of boiling water down the pipe.
3. Hair & Other Foreign Objects
Hair and other unidentified foreign objects are principal reasons for drains getting sluggish or plugged altogether. Hair gets tangled up around different types of debris and can be difficult to remove. Hair clogs are more irritating than hazardous, but if you don’t get them unclogged quickly, they could lead to more significant problems like mold growth or wastewater backing up. If that happens, you should immediately call a plumber and learn more about what causes clogged drains.
4. Not Enough Water Flow
Your drainage system has moving parts that can become damaged over time. If your drain is becoming gradually worse every month, it may be due to small cracks forming in the pipes or obstructions blocking some of the holes inside the line itself (a condition known as water hammer). A plumber with some knowledge about how drains work should be able to track down what’s causing your trouble and make necessary repairs, but sometimes these problems never go away on their own, and even a minor blockage can cause a significant backup if water flow isn’t maintained.
5. Garbage Disposals
The blades and impellers inside garbage disposals get old and dull over time and should be replaced every three to five years. They also become less efficient the more often you use them because the food will stick to the blades, clogging up the drain. The best way to keep your disposal in tip-top shape is to run it regularly with cold water, allowing the blades and impellers to clean themselves with every flush gently. Some people like to grind things like chicken bones in the disposal, which is an absolute no-no (hello, broken blades!) Food particles should always go down the dishwasher or into a separate garbage pail — your disposal just processes “waste” that will be transferred elsewhere through your drainage system.
When you experience at least one of these causes, always use a plunger before using a snake to avoid irreversible damage to your drain. If you see mold, be sure to clean it with bleach and vinegar solution. Also, make sure to use the right amount of water when running your garbage disposal or else it will clog or leave residue on the blades, which will cause odors in the future. If these causes have not solved your problem, contact a plumber immediately for further assistance!