Most homeowners don’t think twice about what disappears down their kitchen sinks, bathroom drains or toilets. That is, of course, until water suddenly stops draining altogether. Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems homeowners face throughout Durham Region. In many cases, the issues could have been avoided entirely.
Many people misunderstand how household drains are actually designed to work. Just because something washes down easily doesn’t mean the plumbing system can safely handle it. Over time, everyday habits slowly build up inside pipes until they eventually create stubborn blockages, unpleasant odours, slow drainage or even sewer backups. So what are the biggest drain clog culprits in the home?
Grease and cooking oils.
Many homeowners pour bacon grease, cooking oil, butter or pan drippings down the kitchen sink thinking hot water will wash it away safely. Unfortunately, grease cools quickly once it enters the pipes. “When fats, oils, and grease are washed down the sink or toilet into the plumbing system, they cool, harden and stick to the inside of sewer pipes,” explains the City of Toronto, “Over time, the grease will build up and can block the entire pipe.” Instead of pouring grease down the drain, allow it to cool and dispose of it in the garbage using a sealed container.
So-called flushable wipes.
Despite the marketing on the packaging, “flushable” wipes do not break down properly in water. These wipes often snag inside pipes and combine with grease, hair and other debris to create major obstructions.
As explained by Utilities Kingston, “the Association of the Non-Woven Fabrics Industry (INDA), the term flushable started being used in the 1980s when the paper industry began to market standard latex-bonded, air-laid wet wipes, deeming them as flushable because of their small size. These wipes were considered flushable as long as the size was small enough to transit through the toilet and wastewater system.”
As a result, companies used their own definitions and methods to determine what constituted their products as flushable wipes. It wasn’t until these flushable wipes started to clog municipal wastewater systems that the need for regulation was identified.
Food scraps and coffee grounds.
Garbage disposals can sometimes create false senses of confidence about what kitchen drains can handle. While some food waste may pass through safely, certain materials are far more problematic than people realize. Coffee grounds are especially notorious for building up inside pipes because they clump together instead of dissolving. Pasta, rice, potato peels, eggshells and fibrous vegetables can also expand or collect inside drain lines over time. Scraping food waste into the compost or garbage first can significantly reduce the risk of drain clogs.
Hair and soap scum.
Hair naturally tangles and collects inside drain pipes, while soap scum slowly sticks to the pipe walls and traps additional debris. Many homeowners don’t notice the problem developing until the bathtub or sink starts draining slowly. By that point, a significant blockage may already be forming deeper inside the plumbing system. Simple drain screens can help catch hair before it enters the drain.
Don’t let a clogged drain ruin your day!
2 Bro’s Plumbing has been the trusted choice for Durham Region families and businesses since 2015. It doesn’t matter if it’s a stubborn kitchen sink or a clogged bathroom drain. We provide quick and effective solutions for clogged drains to get your pipes back in working order. Give us a call at 905-556-0790, email us at admin@2brosplumbing.ca or fill out the form on our Contact page for a free quote today!
