The 12 Most Common Causes of Clogged Drains: Your Guide

August 11, 2020

Clogged drains in your New Jersey home can hinder water flow and cause corrosion, flooding, and even sewage backup. All of which are expensive to repair. 

What Are the Consequences of Ignoring a Clogged Drain?

The consequences of ignoring a clogged drain can range from something as minor as a bad odor to something catastrophic like house damage. A clog can cause backups and eventually break pipes due to the pressure building up. The leaks will seep into the nearby walls, floors, or ceilings, causing damage to the home. 

Because of the material stuck in the pipes and the stagnant water it creates, you’ll also see an increase in mosquitoes, fruit flies, and cockroaches. 

12 Common Causes of Clogged Drains

You can prevent clogged drains by correctly disposing of any materials in your showers, sinks, or toilets. Here are 12 of the most common causes of clogged drains A.J. Perri plumbers have found.

1. Hair

Hair and animal fur are often to blame for a drain blockage, especially in bathroom and laundry drains. Hair can knot up and attach to parts of the drain pipes by joining other substances such as soap and grease.

Use drain guards in sinks and showers to catch hair from slipping down the drain, cleaning them often. You should also remove any hair you see lying around your bathroom sinks or shower and clean hairbrushes over a trash can. 

2. Soap

Soap scum can build up over time, especially in laundry and bathroom drains, and cause blockage. These blockages reduce the diameter of pipes, causing slow water drainage and backups. 

Soap can combine with other materials, such as dirt and hair, to make an even more stubborn clog.

3. Grease, Fat, and Oil

Think twice the next time you pour meat trimmings or grease down your kitchen sink. Grease, fat, and oil are three of the plumbing world’s biggest enemies, and absolutely require a professional to take care of them. These substances tend to solidify over time in drain pipes, causing serious problems to drainage systems.

Call 732-733-2541 to get professional plumbing service today!

Prevent clogs by soaking up excess grease and oil with a paper towel. Fat can be left to harden in a can or jar and then disposed of in the trash.

4. Food Waste

Food waste is often responsible for clogging up kitchen sinks—even with garbage disposal. Those leftover pasta noodles can still cause drain blockages. Avoid putting food waste down drains, even if you have a garbage disposal. 

Set up a compost at home for food waste instead.

5. Dirt

When washed off in the sink or shower, dirt can build up in your pipes and cause issues in your drains. And yes, you guessed it, dirt can also combine with hair, soap, and grease to cause even more blockage.

It is best to shake or rinse excess dirt off your clothes and body outside before cleaning them inside.

6. Hygiene Products

Hygiene products such as diapers, cotton swabs, and feminine hygiene products pose a danger to pipes. Unlike toilet paper, they do not break down or dissolve when flushed. 

Never flush any of these hygiene products down the toilet, as they often expand and don’t break down, causing serious issues.

If this has happened to you, schedule an appointment today!

7. Toilet Paper Build-Up

Toilet paper should not cause any issues when used in small amounts. However, when used in excess, it can block drains and keep your toilets from flushing. 

To prevent this issue, use toilet paper in moderation. If possible, use small batches of paper as opposed to flushing the toilet multiple times.

8. Small Objects

Small objects may accidentally end up in your drains and clog your pipes. For instance, objects can fall down the shower or sink drain if the opening isn’t protected. They can also be flushed down the toilet if they fall into the bowl.

Be sure to take extra care not to flush anything that does not belong. Keep small objects from falling and blocking your pipes by protecting all shower and sink openings with a drain guard.

9. Mineral Build-Up

If the water is hard where you live, mineral deposits can build up and clog your drains. This reduces water flow and causes backups in your pipes. One solution is installing a water softener for your home. When this is not an option, you must regularly remove sediment buildup from your drains.

Call 732-733-2541 if your drains and pipes no longer seem to be flowing, as mineral clogs can be difficult to remove.

10. Tree Roots

Tree roots seek moisture and are naturally drawn to water in drain pipes. While it is more common to find tree roots invading the pipes of older homes, the smallest crack in a pipe can allow tree roots to worm their way in. Once inside your pipes, tree roots quickly grow larger, stopping water flow and resulting in pipe damage.

To prevent pesky tree roots from getting inside your pipes, be aware of the root structure of the trees and foliage surrounding your home, especially if you live in a heavily wooded area. Be sure to examine the state of your drains regularly.

Some experts say the first sign of tree root invasion is a gurgling sound in the pipe system. Solutions can be complicated, so contact a professional to fix this problem.

11. “Flushable” Products

Many products say they are flushable when they actually aren’t. Flushable products disintegrate and don’t cause clogs. “Flushable” products can physically fit into pipes, and that’s what makes them technically “flushable.”

The problem is that just because they can fit into pipes doesn’t mean they don’t cause drain blockage. As you use more of them, they’ll clump together, causing issues that even professionals struggle to solve.

Instead of looking for “flushable” labels, look for products that say they will disintegrate. Or skip these types of products altogether and stick with toilet paper. 

12. Wrong Size Pipes

You could have a lot of clogs because your pipes are too small for the plumbing load your home needs. Pipes get overwhelmed with regular use if they’re the wrong size. 

There’s no way to prevent this because it can be hard to know its size and plumbing history unless a home was built recently. If you’re noticing consistent clogs, it may be time to call a professional at 732-733-2541 to evaluate your pipes and clogged drain plumbing needs. 

How to Deal with Clogged Drains

Here are questions we often get asked about when dealing with clogged drains.

Are There DIY Methods to Unclog Drains? Do They Work?

There are a few DIY methods you can try to unclog your drains, but know that these methods only work on minor clogs. DIY methods include:

• Using homemade drain cleaners 
• Using a hanger to dig out debris
• Using a plunger

What Can I Pour Down My Drain to Unclog It?

There are a few different mixtures you can pour down your drain. Common remedies to unclog your drain yourself are:

• Boiling water
• Dish soap
• Soda
• A vinegar and baking soda mixture
• Chemical unclogger. 

However, using chemicals to unclog your drain can damage your drains and put kids and pets at risk of ingesting caustic chemicals. We don’t recommend it.

When Should I Seek Professional Help for a Clogged Drain?

While you may be able to fix slow drains yourself, if they reoccur or the drain is clogged completely, it is best to call in the professionals. Other signs of needing a professional plumber for clogged drains include:

• Odors
• Slow drainage
• Gurgling
• Standing water

If you need an expert plumber, schedule an appointment today!

How Do Plumbers Clear Blocked Drains?

Plumbers have a variety of tools and techniques to clear blocked drains. Some of their tools include:

• High-pressure water jet
• Manual drain snake
• Motorized drain snake
• Manual auger
• Drain and sewer line cameras

Can Clogged Drains Lead to More Significant Plumbing Issues?

Absolutely. Clogged drains can lead to more significant plumbing problems. Problems like pipes bursting, leaks, and sewage backups can all originate from a clogged drain. The debris can also ruin your overall plumbing system by causing erosion. 

Keeping Your Pipes Problem-Free

With so many common causes of clogged drains, it is important to take preventative measures whenever possible. Never put materials down your drain that don’t belong, and avoid using harsh chemicals to clear drains. Instead, try plunging the drain or using a plumber's snake to dislodge any blockage.

However, if you are a New Jersey homeowner in need of help with a clogged drain, call us at 732-733-2541. From routine maintenance to emergency repairs, you can depend on A.J. Perri to provide quality work and skilled technicians who will have you saying, “I Love Those Guys!”