A clogged drain is an inconvenience that will disrupt any family’s daily routine. That’s why it’s essential to know what causes clogs and how to prevent them. Use the tips outlined in this guide to prevent clogs. Or try any of these home remedies to clear clogged drainpipes before calling a drain-cleaning service to fix your drains.

3 Common Clogged Drain Culprits

1. Hair

Hair, not just from humans but also from pets, is a common cause of clogged drains in the laundry, shower, and bathtub. Because strands of hair tend to knot up, hair also collects grease, soaps, and flecks of other substances that worsen a hair clog. Hair clogs can usually be removed by plunging drains or by using a commercial drain cleaning solution. But to prevent hair clogs, install a drain guard designed to catch hair and clean it after every use.

2. Oil and Grease

Oil, grease, or fat that goes down a drain can solidify and turn into a nasty blockage. If this happens to you, try plunging the drain or using a commercial solution formulated to dissolve grease. You can also try a mixture of hot water and detergent to melt oil and grease. But to prevent oil and grease from clogging your drains, don’t use your sink to dispose of oil and grease. Pour off oils and grease into a heat-proof container, wait until they solidify. Then get rid of oil and grease by throwing it away in the trash.

3. Food Waste

Bits and pieces of food, as well as coffee grounds and tea leaves, are some of the common culprits of kitchen drain clogs. Try clearing a drain clogged with food waste with a plunger, a plumber’s snake, or a liquid drain cleaner, and check that your garbage disposal is working correctly. To prevent clogging your sinks with food waste, don’t overuse your sink for food waste disposal. Collect food waste from your sink and throw it in the trash rather than wash it down the drain.

If your clogged drain can’t be solved with a DIY fix, A-1 Pumping Service and Drain Cleaning can handle it. Serving clients around Dalton, GA, for over 23 years, this family-owned and -operated business is skilled in septic tank installations, septic system repairs, septic pumping, and other related services. Send them a message online, or reach them by phone at (706) 272-3352.