Why Do My Drains Clog So Often?
You put up with a shower that leaves you in ankle-deep water, or a kitchen sink that seems to drain a little more slowly every week. And you have resorted to putting chemical cleaners in the pipe twice over the last month to no avail.
If you can relate, then you are in good company and there is something to be done about it. We Care A/C, Plumbing, & Electric puts an end to recalcitrant drain issues for our clients here in Niceville and the rest of the Florida Panhandle. For a conversation with one of our licensed plumbers as to what is happening in your pipes, pick up the phone at (850) 820-6710.
There is nothing random about a clog; they have a way of coming back which is maddening. It is a pattern that suggests an underlying cause. We will outline the typical reasons for the trouble and how to address them.
What You Put Down the Drain Is Where It Begins
In most cases the answer is plain enough. Debris from day to day activity accumulates on the interior of the pipe. One incident may not do it but months of it will.
These are the things that tend to bring on a clog again and again:
- Fat, oil and grease left to harden
- Hair in bathroom drains that snags other matter
- The kind of soap scum that narrows the opening by coating the walls
- Starchy foods, coffee grounds and scraps in the kitchen
- Wipes and hygiene products of the sort that do not break down
- Hard water leaving its mineral deposits to impede the flow
Make no mistake, once the pipe is constricted by buildup, any new debris will set off a clog. That is the reason for the quick return of the problem.
More Than a Single Drain Affected
An isolated slow drain is one thing. Should you find several in the house giving you trouble, the source is probably further along.
A main line problem will show itself in a number of ways:
- Slow drainage from a number of fixtures
- Toilets or drains that gurgle
- Water in one fixture when another is in use
- Off smells from more than one place
- Bubbles in the toilet while the washer is on
No amount of store-bought cleaner is going to get at a blockage of that nature. An inspection by a pro is worth the time and money.
Out of Sight Causes
For the most part a plumber can put right the buildup behind a clog. But some have roots of a more serious kind.
Here in the Panhandle we see tree roots often. They make their way through a joint or crack in search of moisture and once in the pipe they will grow and stop anything in their path.
Then there are pipes that are old or in poor repair. If a pipe has corroded or sagged, waste will pool in the low spots. You cannot plunger your way out of a structural defect, it needs to be properly diagnosed.
The Failure of Chemical Cleaners
They seem like an easy solution but liquid drain cleaners are apt to do more harm in the long run. The chemicals will damage your pipes and you are not going to dislodge the whole blockage. You manage to restore some flow and the clog is back.
We take a different tack. Our job is to get to the root of it, clear the line and put you in a position to avoid the same clog in the future.
Prevention Is Simple Enough
With a couple of adjustments you can sidestep many clogs.
- Dispose of grease in a container, the sink is not for it
- Put strainers in your showers and sinks for hair and food
- Hot water after you have done the greasy dishes
- Toilet paper only goes in the toilet
- Have a professional clean your drains before you have to
Should you have done all that and still be dealing with clogs, it is time to call in the experts.
A Local Team to Rely On
Homeowners in Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, Escambia, Bay and Washington Counties, from Navarre and Fort Walton Beach to Springfield and Chipley, can count on us. We Care A/C, Plumbing, & Electric is fully licensed and insured and on hand around the clock. Our work comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Enough with the monthly battle with your clogs. Give We Care A/C, Plumbing, & Electric a ring at (850) 820-6710 and we will determine the true cause so your drains are clear.