Lifting the Fog on Drain Clogs
Clogged drains are more than just a nuisance that appear out of nowhere. When clogged drains shut down your showers and plumbing fixtures it’s more than just a small nuisance. Like many people, my independent nature prodded me to look into the causes of clogged drains and methods to fix them as I faced the prospect of a line at the only functioning shower each morning.
What are the common culprits in household clogs?
If you’re like me, there was likely some point in your life when you thought of garbage disposals as black holes that could liquefy just about anything you tossed their way. There are a myriad of food byproducts and scraps that should never go down any kitchen sink. Grease ranks among the top of that list.
Grease and other viscous liquids can coat the inside of your drains, slowing forming a debilitating clog. Fibrous and starchy food scraps can combine with grease coated drainage pipes to prompt your impending clog even sooner. It may take weeks or months, but regularly placing the wrong items into your kitchen sink will eventually result in a clog.
The bathroom sink and shower drain usually fall to hair. Hair grips onto anything it can as it washes down your drain and it refuses to dissolve. Objects accidentally dropped down your sink can contribute to a building clog, as a nest of tangle hair awaits it somewhere along your drainage pipes.
Can you fix it yourself?
After doing some spot research on fixes for clogged drains, I was overwhelmed by recommendations of drain snakes and memories of my dad instructing me of their usage during my formative years. It took a little practice at first, but I was able to relieve my clogged drain of matted hair and grey goo. Drain snakes can be effective for minor clogs, but when things really build up in there it’s time to call in the sewage backup professionals.
When the clog is out of reach of your drain snake, chemical drain cleaner can be effective in dissolving the clotting matter. They may take hours before you notice any results, but they can be used in conjunction with a plunger to free a clog. Chemical drain cleaners, however, can have adverse effects on your drains, especially if your plumbing system has a bit of age on it. Corrosive chemicals can corrode worn pipes. Again, calling a good plumbing company can really save you more trouble down the line. A professional plumber can pinpoint the clog and restore service to the affected fixture, so you can get back to your life.
