22 Things That Can Cause Pipes To Clog

22 Things That Can Cause Pipes To Clog

22 Things That Can Cause Pipes To Clog

If you’ve ever had a clogged pipe in your home, you’ll understand how stubborn they can be to unblock without the help of a professional. If your drain runs slowly or is completely blocked up, you may have unknowingly caused the blockage by flushing away household items that should go in the trash. Many things can cause a pipe to clog up, and all homeowners should be aware of them. By knowing all of the products that can hinder the performance of your pipes, you can prevent future clogs. More info @ chamblissplumbing.com

What Not to Put Down Your Drain

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Toilet paper should be the only product that you flush away. If you regularly put any of the following items down your toilet or your drains, you’re setting yourself up for a massive and potentially costly clog:

● Leftover oil and grease from cooking a meal
● Sanitary products such as tampons, towels, and their packaging
● Liquids that can solidify such as paints, waxes, and glues
● Baby products such as diapers and baby wipes
● Hair, especially when its long
● Solid objects such as kid’s toys
● Foreign objects
● Bath salts, which are difficult to dissolve
● Dental floss
● Cardboard such as the toilet paper tube or any other packaging
● Plastic from beauty or health products
● Cotton balls, pads, and swabs
● Cigarette butts
● All food scraps, but especially noodles and pasta
● Peelings from vegetables
● Multi-ply toilet paper, which can often be too thick
● Coffee beans or grind

Other Common Causes

It’s not just what you put down your drains that can cause clogs in your pipes. There is a broad range of other sources too:

Tree Roots – A lot of plumbing is underneath the ground, so in some cases, the blockage can be caused by natural occurrences. During seasons where there is very little rain, the roots of a tree will seek out water and unfortunately, that sometimes leads them to your underground piping. Tree roots are strong so they can easily penetrate through the plastic and begin to grow.
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Old Sewer Lines – As the pipes in an older home begin to age; they can become droopy and saggy. When the pipes are sagging, the waste cannot flow through them smoothly, and major clogs can surface.

Litter Tray Pellets – Believe it or not, some people empty their cat’s litter trays into their toilet. Most cat litters are designed to clump together when liquid touches them. The litter forms a solid, and if this is happening within your pipes, the clog could be disastrous.

Debris – grass, leaves, mud, clay and many other natural materials can get onto your sewer line, and if they build up, they can cause a blockage or even sometimes a line break.

Garbage Disposal – When you’re throwing all of your leftovers down your garbage disposal, it can quickly cause a clog.

Signs of a Blockage

If you’re guilty of putting any of the products down your drain or flushing them down the toilet on a regular basis, you’re putting your pipes and home at risk of a clog. If you look after your pipes correctly, but you’re worried about the other types of blockages, there are a few simple signs that you can watch out for in your home:

● If your toilet’s hard to flush
● If a funny smell is coming from your drains
● If you get any water back up through your drains when you flush the toilet
● If the water from your shower, tub or sink empties slowly

If you have signs of a clogged pipe, then the best thing is to phone a professional plumber who will be able to deal with the problem swiftly and without causing damage to the pipes.
Here are some of our Clients you should visit when you experience clogged pipes
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By |2019-07-23T16:07:34+00:00January 25th, 2017|Uncategorized|0 Comments

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