When you have a clogged drain, it can be nasty business dealing with it in addition to the frustration that it causes. Your first thought may be to put it off for later, or maybe it’ll get better all by itself. Unfortunately, that’s wishful thinking, and it could exacerbate the clogged drain or sewer problem by putting it off.
However unpleasant it may be, it’s best to deal with clogs right away to avoid other issues that could accompany clogs, such as leaks, foul odors, and sewage backups. But, how do you clear a clog if you don’t know what’s causing it? Well, the plumbing pros at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup have made a list of the most common culprits for drain and sewer clogs and what you can do about them.
HAIR, SOAP & SHAMPOO
When your bathtub or shower becomes clogged or is slow draining, the likely culprits behind the clog are hair, soap, and shampoo. Sticky soap scum and hair accumulate slowly over time in your tub or shower drain, and, sooner or later, water will begin to drain slowly or not drain at all.
If the clog or slow draining isn’t addressed quickly, it can lead to too much moisture accumulation in the tub or shower. This only invites mold, mildew, and bacterial growth, and slow draining or clogs make it more difficult to keep the tub or shower clean and fresh.
There are a few different ways to address slow draining and clogs. Plungers typically don’t work since the grime buildup is too tough. You can try a home remedy of 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar, but this isn’t always a successful solution for tough clogs. The best way to handle this problem is to let us do it for you. Call Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup!
FOOD WASTE & GREASE
Another common household clog is the kitchen sink or garbage disposal. If either of these is clogged or slow draining, it could be due to the buildup of food waste that isn’t supposed to go down the disposal or pipes, and your disposal or pipes can’t handle it over time.
Never put coffee grounds, grease, starchy foods, bones, celery, egg shells, and fruit pits in the garbage disposal or drain. These food items will most definitely cause a stubborn clog down the line. Call your trusty Roto-Rooter plumber to remedy a clogged garbage disposal and even a clogged drain.
“FLUSHABLE” WIPES, Q-TIPS & HYGIENE PRODUCTS
Many things are flushable in the toilet, but that doesn’t mean that you should flush them down the toilet. “Flushable” wipes are a perfect example. No matter what the manufacturer promises about their wipes being flushable, it’s still not a good idea at all to flush wipes down the toilet. Simply dispose of them in the garbage bin. The same goes for Q-tips and feminine hygiene products. Don’t flush them down the toilet!
If your toilet does become clogged, you can try using a plunger to get rid of the clog. It’s not a good idea to use an auger or snake, as you can scratch the porcelain.
TREE ROOT INFILTRATION
If you notice that more than one drain in your home, such as the bathtub and kitchen sink, are slow draining, you could have a problem in the sewer line. And, a common culprit for clogged sewer lines is tree root infiltration.
Older sewer lines were often made of clay or other porous materials. Also, the pipe connections weren’t as tight as PVC pipes used today. So, as tree and shrubbery roots grow, they seek water sources. Your sewer line! Roots latch on to the sewer pipe and eventually make their way inside. When roots grow and expand, damage to the pipe occurs and the roots clog the pipes.
Tree root infiltration into the sewer line is definitely a job for your Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup pros!
If you need help with a stubborn drain clog or sewer line blockage, call on Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup today at (320) 207-1079! We’re standing by 24/7 for all of your residential and commercial plumbing needs.
