From toys and other foreign objects that find their way into drains to a heavy build up of hair, grease and gunk, clogged drains are one of the biggest household plumbing mishaps. Unfortunately, they can also result in a messy and expensive mess that needs a professional plumber to fix it. While a clogged drain is always annoying, it’s important to understand why they happen and take steps to prevent them from happening in the first place.
A few of the most common reasons a drain becomes clogged include:
Food: Whether it’s pasta, potatoes, beans or rice, cooking these types of foods can cause pipes to clog because they expand when they come into contact with water. This is because these foods contain starches that are hard to break down. Discard these foods in the trash instead of the sink.
Toys and Other Foreign Objects: While it’s likely that a child has dropped a toy into the sink, these types of objects are a major reason for toilet clogs. To help prevent this, install a childproof toilet seat and teach kids not to flush toys or other objects down the drain.
Nappies and Baby Wipes: Both nappy pads and baby wipes are known to block drains when they are flushed. To prevent this, make sure to follow the usage directions on the package.
Soap Scum: Soap scum forms when soap and other residue make contact with water. To help prevent this, keep a dishcloth near the sink or use a commercially available drain cleaner regularly. clogged drain
