What Causes Your Drains to Clog?

This image shows the inside of a drain pipe with visible buildup and grime along the walls, where a plumbing snake or auger is inserted to clear a clog.

At first, a clogged drain may seem like a minor inconvenience. Water may drain from your sink or tub at a slightly slower rate than normal, perhaps even offering up a few odd gurgling sounds as it does so—but it’s more annoying than actually problematic. Over time, though, these clogged drains become more and more serious, until you ultimately can’t drain the water at all—rendering the sink or tub in question unusable, and possibly leading to other, more serious plumbing issues.

At the first sign of a clogged drain, then, it is best to call a professional plumber to have the thing cleaned out. In addition, there are steps that homeowners can take to reduce the likelihood of clogged pipes. It all starts with knowing what causes drains to get clogged in the first place:

For bathroom sinks and showers, the most common cause of a clogged drain is hair. There is simply no way to avoid hair falling from the body down toward the drain. The only action you can take is to ensure that these drains have filters or strainers attached, letting water pass through but keeping the hair out.
Another cause of clogged bathroom drains is paper. Of course, toilet paper is meant to be flushed, and to dissolve before it clogs the drain—but if you use too much paper, or flush paper products not intended for the toilet, clogs can form.
In the kitchen, meanwhile, grease tends to be the big culprit. Grease that’s poured down the drain ultimately hardens, congeals, and leads to massively restricted water flow—and eventually to a full-blown clog. There is no way to avoid this except to avoid pouring grease and oils down the drain! Make sure you dispose of these cooking byproducts some other way, like pouring them into an old jar or can.
Another major cause of kitchen drain clogs is food. Even small food particles can build up into massive clogs. Try to remember to scrape all leftover food from your plate into the trashcan, and to use your drain and your garbage disposal only for liquid waste, as best you possibly can.
Finally, note that anything not specifically intended to be put down a drain can cause clogging—whether it’s feminine products, children’s toys, or anything else that might somehow find its way down the drain!

Should a clog happen, though, we’ve got your back. Reach out to our plumbers today, and ask about our drain cleaning and clearing services!