Slow drains, clogged drains—they’re a plumbing problem everyone has to deal with at some point or another. Although you can’t avoid all possible drain clogs, you can take steps to prevent the majority of them. One of the best ways is to schedule regular drain cleaning in Sacramento, CA with our team of plumbers.

Another way to avoid drain clogs is to know their most common causes. Identifying the problem makes it easier to stop them from getting started. Below are the main reasons drains turn slow or clogged.

Hair

This is the most frequent reason for bathroom drains to become stopped up. Hair strands can become stuck in the p-trap below the drain (the curved section that traps water), where it will start to catch hair strands. Eventually, a thick tangle of hair will block the drainpipe, and this can be difficult to remove. The best way to prevent too much hair from getting down these drains is to place strainers and caps over the drains and routinely clean them of the hair trapped in them.

FOG (Fats, Oils, And Grease)

This is the major enemy of kitchen drains and garbage disposals. FOG all look harmless for drains when it is hot, liquid form. But if you’ve ever seen what FOG looks like after its cooled off, you’ll understand why it is such problems from drainpipes. The waxy solids that fats, oils, and great turn into clings to the walls of drainpipes and can eventually close off the drain entirely. Only professional drain cleaning can wipe away this heavy residue. To keep FOG from your drains, always pour out these cooking oils into a separate receptacle and place it into the trash.

Soap Scum

A problem for all types of drains, soap scum is an insidious problem that presents more dangers than clogged drains. Soap scum can create corrosive chemical reactions with drains, leading to leaks. The best way to keep soap scum from building up too fast is to remember to run hot water down the drain after you’re finished. This helps to break up the soap and keep it moving deeper into the pipes.

Mineral Build-Up

The minerals inside water can start to build up on pipes—especially if a home has a problem with hard water. Hard water has a higher concentration than normal of calcium and magnesium suspended in it, and the deposits on pipes can quickly reduce the pipe volume. To avoid mineral build up, the best technique is to have a water softener installed for the home. This won’t just prevent clogs, it will protect the plumbing in general and avoid serious damage to water-using appliances.

Dirt

Yes, plain old everyday dirt can create blockages in pipes. If you wash off dirt-covered items in a sink, knock off excess dirt from the item before washing it.

If you need drain unclogging or water treatment services, contact our offices. We offer “Customer service the way it used to be!”

Unclog those drains with a call to Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating & Air. Our services come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee!