One of the most common plumbing issues is a clogged drain. It can really ruin your day. There are many reasons why your drain may be blocked, but the good news is that it isn't a severe plumbing problem. Find out why drains clog, and how to clear them safely.
A Clogged Bathroom Sink or Shower Drain.
There are many reasons why your bathroom drains may clog, but they are frequently caused by hair, soap, makeup, dead skin cells, and even stray strands of dental floss. It is likely that before your bathroom drains are entirely blocked, you will notice it is taking longer than usual for water to go down the pipe. This is an excellent time to address the problem.
In this situation, your go-to tool is a plunger. Make sure that you choose the right type of plunger for the job. Never attempt to use a toilet plunger to unclog a sink or shower drain. Besides contaminating your sink or shower with fecal matter, toilet bowl plungers are the wrong size and shape to do the job properly. If a sink or shower plunger doesn't fix your drain, you may need to remove the P-trap from under your sink. This is more complicated than you think and making a mistake can be costly, so it is a good idea to call in a pro to help.
A Kitchen Sink or Utility Sink Clog
The top reasons for a clog in your kitchen or utility sink include leftover food, grease or other foreign objects getting stuck. Unlike bathroom drains, kitchen and utility sink drain clogs can occur rapidly when you don't use some sort of drain screen or proper washing techniques.
You can try to use a sink plunger to clear a clogged drain, but be careful if you have a garbage disposal. Using a sink plunger aggressively may damage it. Whatever you do, avoid using harsh drain opening chemicals which can not only destroy your pipes but damage your expensive disposal system.
Whether you have coffee grounds in your kitchen sink or soggy paper towels in your laundry sink, prevention is much easier than trying to unclog them after the fact. Always remember to scrape your plates into a trash can before placing them in the sink and to never pour any type of oil down the drain.
Call in the Experts
Your best bet when you have a clogged drain is to call in the professionals. Plumbers are able to quickly fix the problem by snaking your drain which is much safer and more effective than other methods. While the plumber is there consider asking about getting routine maintenance for your drains which can keep them clog-free.
Amanda Plumbing Sewer & Drain has been helping residents in Columbus, Ohio with all of their plumbing needs for generations. You can trust Amanda's certified professional plumbers for quick and courtesy service. Call 740-369-5161 for assistance 24/7.