Slow or clogged drains may appear minor at first, but if ignored, they can lead to serious plumbing and septic system problems. Identifying the cause is essential to determine whether professional help is needed.
Here are the 9 most common causes of slow or clogged drains and how to address them!
Addressing Slow or Clogged Drains Is Essential
Ignoring a slow or clogged drain is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. A clogged drainage system can quickly escalate, especially if you have many people in your household.
Here’s why you should take action before it’s too late.
Prevent Costly Damage to Your Plumbing System
Over time, minor blockages can increase pressure in pipes, leading to leaks, bursts, or complete system failure.
The resulting damage often requires expensive repairs that can take weeks. Early prevention is the best way to avoid these issues.
Avoid Water Backup and Property Damage
A broken sewage system isn’t the only cause for concern. When a pipe bursts, water could gush out and leak into the surrounding areas.
It could flood your basement, ruin your flooring, and cause water stains on your walls. You’ll need to replace water-damaged parts, especially if they’re made from wood.
Top Causes of Slow or Clogged Drains
Understanding the reason behind a blockage allows you to address the issue early on. To help you get started, let’s explore the top 9 causes of slow or clogged drains!
- Hair Buildup in Drains
Hair is one of the most common causes of pipe and sewer clogs. When hair accumulates, it turns into a thick mass that prevents water from passing through. Not only that, it can also trap other debris, further worsening the buildup.
Hair buildup often goes unnoticed until the drainage slows down. It’s crucial to clear your drain strainer regularly to prevent hair from getting into your pipes.
- Grease, Fat, and Oil Accumulation
Did you know that the oil you pour down the drain doesn’t disappear? It solidifies once it makes contact with cold pipes, resulting in a greasy, sticky mess. This can cause a blockage in your kitchen drainage system.
To prevent grease from blocking your pipes, pour used oil into containers instead of the sink. Moreover, always wipe pans down with a kitchen towel before washing.
- Food Waste in Kitchen Sinks
Even if you have a kitchen garbage disposal, food waste can still cause a deep sink clog.
Certain foods, like rice or pasta, absorb water and expand, leading to a blockage. Additionally, fibrous food, like corn husks and fruit skins, doesn’t break down so easily. The fibers can tangle and stick to your pipes, contributing to blockages.
- Soap Scum and Residue
Soap scum is the white residue that forms when soap reacts with minerals in hard water. It can form films on sinks, tubs, showers, and yes, even pipes!
You can use baking soda or invest in soap scum removers to loosen and lift scum from your drains.
- Foreign Objects and Small Debris
Foreign objects are anything that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet or dumped into the sink. Otherwise, they can cause plumbing drain problems.
These include wet wipes, tampons, and cotton balls. Even something as small as nail clippings can potentially cause large-scale clogs.
- Tree Roots Intruding into Sewer Lines
Many people don’t realize it, but tree roots are a huge problem when they get into sewer lines. In fact, in LA, over 50% of sewage backups and overflows are caused by tree roots!
A tree’s roots can get into cracks and grow into the sewers and pipes. You’ll need to have professionals repair the faulty pipe and remove all the roots.
- Mineral Buildup in Pipes
Mineral buildup occurs naturally in places with hard water, or water that has high calcium and magnesium content. As the water moves through your pipes, these minerals form a substance called scale.
The scale crystallizes and accumulates over the years, creating slow-running drains.
If you suspect a mineral buildup, you can use descaling solutions to resolve the issue.
- Excessive Use of Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is a biodegradable material that usually disintegrates in water. However, if you flush too much of it, it may not break down in time.
Toilet paper can block narrow pipes and prevent other residue from passing.
It’s safer to throw toilet paper into trash bins. That, or you can do your research and only buy the best toilet paper to avoid clogs.
- Improper Pipe Size or Installation
When you’re installing pipes, following the standard pipe sizes can prevent a slow-running drain. Consider factors like water holding capacity, drain types, and local building codes before construction.
For instance, the standard bathroom sink drain pipe size is 1 ¼ inches. Meanwhile, for toilet waste, the pipe size should be at least 3 inches.
How to Handle Slow or Clogged Drains
Sometimes fixing a clogged drain pipe is as simple as removing the blockage. Here’s how you can fix a slow drain at home.
DIY Methods to Unclog Drains
- Use a Drain Snake Tool: A snake tool lets you physically push blockages out of the drain.
- Pour Baking Soda: Pouring baking soda down the drain may loosen grime and other blockages.
- Try Boiling Water: Boiling water can melt and wash away grease.
When to Call a Professional
It’s time to call a professional when the following happens.
- Multiple DIY methods aren’t working.
- A strong sewage smell is coming from the pipes.
- The blockage keeps returning.
- You suspect a large item is stuck in the pipes.
Calling additional plumbing services saves you time and money in the long run!
Tips to Prevent Slow or Clogged Drains
The best way to deal with a clogged drain is to prevent it from happening in the first place! Here’s what you can do.
- Regular Drain Cleaning and Maintenance
We recommend cleaning your pipes at least once a month. However, if possible, you should check your pipes once a week.
For septic tanks, pumping should be done every 3 to 5 years, depending on how many people are in your household.
- Install Drain Strainers to Catch Debris
Drain strainers stop food, hair, and debris from falling into the drain. They’re incredibly affordable and are effective for preventing clogs.
Common Drain Issues in Homes
These are the most common drain problems you may encounter at home.
- Slow-Draining Bathtub
A slow-draining tub is a sign that hair or soap scum may have accumulated in the pipes. Product residue, like conditioners and shaving cream, may have formed as well.
To address the issue, you can try cleaning the drain stopper and plunging the tub. Be sure to use a hair catcher to trap hair before it enters the drain.
- Toilet Draining Slowly
A slow-draining toilet is a sign of a serious blockage. Waste can take longer to flush, and backups may sometimes happen.
When the toilet flushes slowly but isn’t clogged, there may be a partial blockage in the toilet drain trap.
Here’s how to unclog a slow-draining toilet.
Use a toilet plunger to dislodge objects that may be stuck. If possible, clean the vent pipe and avoid flushing non-flushable items in the future.
- Washer Drain Backing Up
Washer drain backups happen when the water from your washing machine doesn’t go down the drain. Instead, it flows out, causing a pool to form under the washer.
The reason for this could be a clogged drain pipe or a blocked sewer line. Moreover, if the washer is newly installed, the drain may not have the right size and angle.
You can check the washer’s filter or lint trap for signs of blockages. Avoid washing clothes that produce too much lint, and call a professional when cleaning doesn’t fix the problem.
Trust Mountain Contracting LLC for All Your Drain Needs
Do you have a slow-draining kitchen sink, or is your toilet sink clogged? Don’t wait for this small problem to turn into a costly disaster.
At Mountain Contracting LLC, we specialize in fast and affordable plumbing and sewage services. We have years of experience in Boulder’s rocky terrain. Plus, our certified technicians can handle everything from minor repairs to full sewage replacements.
Expert Sewer and Septic Services in Boulder
Mountain Contracting LLC is an expert on sewer and septic tanks. We can repair sewer lines, maintain septic tanks, and build new septic systems.
Call us today for a free consultation or visit our website to learn more!
