Drains can clog quite easily in the day-to-day operations of a home here in Macon, Georgia, but it’s not the end of the world. There are solutions for every clog and even prevention techniques to keep them from happening. Here are five causes of drain clogs and how to prevent them.
1. Hair
One of the main culprits of drain clogs, especially in the bathroom, is hair. It goes down the drain and catches on little bits that have clung to the pipe surface. Eventually, it builds up and combines with soap scum and creates a large enough clog to slow down or stop water from draining.
To prevent hair clogs, invest in a hair strainer guard for the drain. It’s made of a fine mesh that keeps hair from entering the drain.
2. Fat
Like other Georgia residents, we love our fried chicken here in Macon, but you need to be sure that you properly dispose of all that frying oil after cooking up a batch of our favorite recipe. Fat, oil, and grease are notorious drain cloggers. When cool, they solidify and attach to pipe interiors. Anything coming down the drain catches on the fat and builds a solid wall.
To prevent fat clogs, wipe up oil spills with a paper towel and dispose of it. Never pour used oil down your drain. Instead, pour it into a receptacle such as an empty coffee can.
3. Cat Litter
It seems only natural to dispose of cat litter via the toilet, but cat litter is designed to absorb liquid and then clump. Those clumps can very effectively clog a drain.
To prevent these clogs, keep cat litter far away from the toilet. It should only be put into a trash bag that can be sealed or tied, and then put into the trash can for pickup. Keeping it contained in a trash bag prevents the spread of bacteria, and the garbage pick-up staff appreciates it too.
4. Feminine Products
The various feminine products are designed to absorb liquid and should never be flushed. Tampons, which can grow to 10 times their normal size, are a particularly common cause of clogged toilet drains.
To prevent these clogs, always dispose of feminine products in the wastebasket, never in the toilet. This should be done even if the package says it’s flushable.
5. Toys
Toys and other small objects can sometimes either fall into the toilet or be put there by a curious kid. Once flushed, toys will lodge into the pipe and create a very stubborn clog. You might try a plunger, but that could just send the problem further down into the pipe.
To prevent this from happening, keep toilet lids down and toys out of the bathroom. It’s also a good idea to educate your children about the dangers of flushing items down the toilet.
A clogged drain is a nuisance, but it’s fixable. The professional plumbing staff at A-1 Plumbing, right here in Macon, knows exactly what to do in every case of clogged drains. Call us today to schedule drain cleaning or learn more about our other services.