Discovering that your home drain has become clogged can be a frustrating and challenging experience. When you begin noticing symptoms of a clogged drain, such as lack of water flow due to a blockage or slow water output, it’s important to act fast to prevent further blockage and potential costly damages. Since each clog requires a different method of treatment, knowing the source of the clog and what caused it is equally important. To start, here are some possible reasons for a clogged drain:

Hair

Hair, when collected in a drain pipe, can gather together and form clumps or thick nests that clog the drain and inhibit the flow of water. Bathing pets in sinks and or brushing your hair in the shower can lead to hair shedding which may end up in your drain.

Solid soap

Liquid soaps tend to dissolve easier and pose less of a problem to pipes and drains, but solid soaps can build up soap scum which can clog pipes or slow drainage. Allowing small pieces of soap to fall through the shower drain can contribute to this problem.

Small Toys

Children often will bring small toys into the bathroom and attempt to flush them down the toilet for sheer entertainment. But if you don’t watch what your kids are flushing down the toilet, it could mean a clogged pipe and an expensive bill for you later on. Instruct kids to never flush toys or household objects down the toilet.

Food

Food is a major blockage factor for kitchen sinks, even in kitchens where a garbage disposal is installed. Some food particles, such as hard fruit pits, can contribute to major blockages in the pipes, and only worsen as more food is introduced into the pipe.

Excessive Toilet Paper

When it comes to toilet paper, a little bit goes a long way. If you are using far too much toilet paper at a single time, or have kids that attempt to flush a whole roll of paper down the toilet, you can cause a pipe to become blocked or overflow.

Grease and Fat

Heavy liquids like grease and fat should never be poured down a drain. They can easily build up and cause clogging. Dispose of oils and fats in the garbage.