What Causes Clogged Drains?

A clogged drain can be a bummer—in fact, it can ruin your day. A backed up toilet, non-functioning shower, smelly garburator; what could be worse? So what causes this common household emergency? Several factors can play a role, but none of them are too big for your team of friendly and professional plumbers at Mr. Rooter® Plumbing! We’re available at any time of day and even on holidays and weekends, so you can get help when you need it.

Does Soap Cause Clogged Drains?

Soap doesn’t cause clogged drains on its own, but it can clot with hair and dirt in your drains to create a blockage. Anything that creates a mass in the drain will eventually stop water flow and need to be cleared. It’s a routine part of household or commercial plumbing and nothing to worry about.

Top Causes of Clogged Drains

Here are some common causes of stopped-up drains:

• Hair
• Quilted toilet paper
• Foreign objects accidentally flushed down the toilet
• Cat litter flushed down the toilet
• Paper towels or other non-flushable items

How Do I Know if My Drain Is Clogged?

Some signs that you may be dealing with a clogged drain include:

• Your toilet is backed up and won’t flush
• Water takes a long time to go down the drain; may pool around the drain or make strange sucking or gurgling noises
• Garburator seems ineffective

Should I Use Chemical Drain Cleaners to Fix My Clogged Drain?

Our commercial and residential plumbing experts do not recommend that you use heavy chemical drain cleaners to try and fix a clog. This is not an ideal solution as these products can actually cause pipe corrosion. Instead, try plunging the drain using a cup plunger for a sink or shower or a flange plunger for a toilet. You could also try a bio drain cleaning solution for clogs composed of organic matter. Clogs consisting of hair or hard objects may not be fixed by a bio solution, however.

Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing for Workmanship You Can Count On!

At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we believe our customers come first. We arrive in uniform and treat your home as if it were our own. We’ll provide you with a free estimate in your home and a complimentary whole-home plumbing check-up. Contact our team to schedule an appointment today.