Understanding How Drain Clogs Happen
A clogged drain is one of the most common plumbing issues. Noticing an unusual smell or sound or visual backup of water in a drain are all good first steps to being aware of a clog.
What Causes Drain Clogs
A clog can be caused from an action from the user end or within the pipes themselves. There are multiple possible clogs, but the most obvious is trying to flush something down the drain that is better left in the trash. This applies to toys down the bathtub, oil/grease down the kitchen sink, hygiene products that aren’t toilet paper down the toilet, etc.
What’s harder to predict are the clogs that form separate from your own actions. This could be corrosion from old pipes sloughing off to form a blockage, lime scale from alkaline water, or tree roots or plants breaking into your plumbing.
Sometimes your bathroom appliances can start backing up or gurgling because of debris on your roof, too. If your bathroom plumbing has a wet vent that runs a pipe from the drain up through to the roof, then the vent is at risk of getting clogged with leaves. This leads to sewer air that would have been vented being blown back up your pipes.
How to Prevent Drain Clogs
Carefulness and vigilance are what prevent clogged drains. You must be careful about what you send down the drain. And you have to stay vigilant for signs that a clog is forming despite your care. This includes knowing how old your pipes are and being aware of any changes in your yard, like odd puddles or greenery, that suggest a clog or leak.
Of course, sometimes a clog cannot be prevented, but it must be unclogged. If you do need some professional assistance, then call us at (808) 691-9309 Oahu, (808) 400-8811 Hawaii Island.
