Jordan
You’ve probably encountered a clogged drain in your home at least once. This problem can occur a little more frequently, depending on the things you flush down the drain and how old your plumbing system is.
Even though it may seem some items may have no impact at first, they may cause a clog after a long time of build-up. That’s why you need to hire qualified plumbers in San Antonio to unclog your drain whenever the problem comes knocking.
But first, let’s know the everyday items that clog drains.
1. Starchy Food Particles
Food particles do not dissolve in water, and they can cause your drain to block. The bad news is that food particles always find their way in the drain through the sink. To avoid this, ensure you sieve water before pouring it on the sink and place the food remains in the bin.
2. Scum
When using hard water, the bar soap doesn’t lather easily, and when it does, it will leave a scum residue on the surfaces, as well as the inner parts of pipes. The best way to prevent the formation of scum is to use liquid detergent or install a water softener in your plumbing system. The only consolation is that hard water does not cause any serious health effects, as per the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
3. Toilet Paper
As much as toilet paper is flushable, too much of it can cause a clog in your drain. The best way to prevent this is to limit the usage of toilet paper or increase the pressure in your plumbing system.
4. Feminine Products
Ladies use hygiene products such as wipes, sanitary towels, and tampons, which are not flushable. Such products easily clog the drain when they build up after some time. That’s why ladies’ restrooms have bins specifically meant for the disposal of such products.
5. Napkins
Although it is rare for someone to throw napkins down the drain, they can accidentally find their way in. When napkins get inside the drain, it will most likely clog the drainage system.
6. Lime Scale
Just like scum, limescale also forms when you’re using hard water in your plumbing system. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), limescale majorly forms in the parts of the plumbing system where hot water is involved. A long-term build-up of limescale can cause pipes to clog, and hence, you should consider softening your water before usage.
7. Cotton Wool
This is another material that absorbs a lot of water. Although some people think it’s flushable, it can build up in the plumbing system and clog your drain. Therefore, avoid flushing cotton balls down the drain to prevent clogging.
8. Baby Wipes
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some wipes are flushable while others are not. Nevertheless, all kinds of wipes will eventually build-up when used too much for a long time which will eventually clog your drain. The best thing is to keep both “flushable and non-flushable” baby wipes away from your plumbing system.
9. Hair
Apart from piling up as hair-balls to clog your drain, strands of hair can tie around other objects, making even bigger balls inside your drain. It is even worse for oily hairs since it would get stuck with other debris. That’s why you should never flush your broken hair down your bathroom sink.
10. Fat, Oil, and Grease (FOG)
These are sticky substances that are good at attracting other objects in the water. To give you an idea, fat, oil, and grease can form sludge in the plumbing system, which may eventually clog the drain after a buildup.
Final Thoughts
Whatever precaution you take for your home plumbing system, you may still encounter clog in your drains. Sometimes it’s just the low water pressure that causes a clog, or a tree invasion in the pipes. Whenever such happens, always call certified plumbers near your area to help you tackle the issue immediately. As a measure of precaution and to keep the home draining system healthy for a long time, don’t flush any of these items down the drain.
