It’s no secret that water is the most bountiful resource on the planet, as every living thing benefits from water. Apart from consumption, we also use water for baths or washing the dishes through our plumbing system. However, most people take water for granted until their drains are clogged.

Finding Blockages Down Your Drains

When the drains in your home are clogged, your quality of life is affected because you won’t be able to use water for any purpose whatsoever. Unclogging drains is no easy task, but you can prevent clogs from happening by knowing what causes them in the first place.

What exactly causes clogged drains? In this article, we’ll shed light on the matter. Read on below to learn more.

1. Hair

In the bathroom, hair can cause drains in the shower or sink from washing and grooming. Aside from that, cutting hair or shaving beards can do so as well. Since hair is cut into smaller lengths, there’s a greater chance to clog the drain as it’s mixed with other substances. For example, soap residue can cause clogged drains when combined with hair and other substances.

2. Food and Waste

Since dishes are washed in a sink, food is considered the leading cause of clog drains. In some cases, there are also non-food substances that go down the drain. Some examples include fibrous food, eggshells, grease, and oil.

Leaving a clogged drain unattended can lead to attracting pests such as drain flies, so it’s crucial to take care of it as soon as possible.

3. Toys

Since children have an insatiable curiosity, they often have a simple desire to see their toys float on water. Smaller toys can often get stuck in drains going all the way down the drain, joining other objects that contribute to the blockage.

4. Toilet Paper

Similar to how hair can clog shower and sink drains, flushing down too much toilet paper can clog your drains. Toilet papers are designed to disintegrate in water, but too much of them in a drain can become a problem.

Fixing Clogged Drain Drains

Limiting the substances above from being anywhere near your drains is one way to prevent blockages. However, this preventive measure won’t help if you already have clogged drains. If you have drainage issues, you can fix the problem by using any of the following:

1. Plunger

Although a plunger is naturally present in bathrooms, not all homeowners know how to use it. The first plunge should not be forceful—you’re trying to force the air out of the plunger’s bell, but you must not let the blockage splatter. Once there’s no more water, you can initiate more plunges with force this time around. Make sure that the plunger is in one place so that removing the clog is easier.

2. Vinegar and Baking Soda Solution

The combination of vinegar and baking soda is a cleaning solution used in many instances, and it can also be used in unclogging drains.

When mixed together, vinegar and baking soda will fizz. As soon as this happens, pour it down the drain to break down gunk, grime, and hair causing your blockages. Alternatively, you can also pour baking soda down the drain first, followed by vinegar. Keep in mind that you should follow through with pouring hot water down the drain to rinse your pipes of the solution.

3. Metal Clothes Hanger

Using a metal clothes hanger is the most inexpensive solution to fix clogged drains. All you need to do is bend one of the opposite ends of the hanger to create a hook. After that, simply push it down the drain and fish the blockage out. As an extra measure, run hot water down the drain to clear it of any residual blockage.

Conclusion

If you try any of the above methods and still get no positive results, your best course of action would be to call a professional plumber. They can diagnose your problem and offer solutions to solve it.

Candu Plumbing & Rooter has plumbers in San Fernando Valley that can help with your clogged drains. We understand that plumbing issues can arise at any given time, which is why our services are open 24/7. Contact us today to learn more!