Clogged drains can start as a minor issue, but when left unattended, they can quickly escalate into a huge problem. 

It can cause slow water drainage, flooding, pipe corrosion, sewage backup, and huge expensive repairs.  It is important to learn how to prevent them.  However, in order to do that, you need to learn the causes, so you will know how to prevent the and clear away blockages in seconds.

Causes of Clogged Drains and Blocked Pipes

• Hair. For many of the blockages in the bathroom, hair is often the culprit.  When hair mixes with grease and dirt, it can form awful pipe clogging. The best way to deal with this is to prevent their occurrence in the first place.  You have to make sure that all drains are carefully guarded.

• Soap Residue.  This may come as a surprise to you, but soap can actually block your pipes.  Traditional soap bars have grease or fat in them, so when combined with the minerals in water, it creates hard residue that eventually blocks pipes. To resolve this problem, it is best to switch to soap-free washes to avoid soap scum buildup.

• Dirt and Grime. Contrary to what you may think, drains and pipes are not capable of washing anything away at all times.  The dirt in your clothes may cause a buildup in your pipes. So, make sure to shake them off or rinse mud off outside before you place them in your washer.

• Food Waste.  Never let food waste go down the drain.  It doesn’t matter if you have a garbage disposal, do not let those waste get into your pipes. They’re better off as compost. Coffee grounds and tea leaves are the major culprits when it comes to pipe blockages.  They don’t break down. They stay there causing clogging.  Do not let grease or oil go down the drain as well.  Instead, wipe oil with paper towel.Hard Water Minerals.  Hard water contained minerals that can form insoluble masses that cause blockages.  Install a water softener to resolve this problem.  If this is not possible, make sure to descale regularly. Remove buildup often because once they’ve hardened, they can be difficult to get rid of.

• Small Items.  Many blockages are caused by small objects that find their way into your plumbing. The only items that should go down those pipes are water, toilet paper, and feces.  Dispose of other items properly. Do not flush them.  If any foreign matter goes down those pipes, they can cause colossal plumbing issues which will require the assistance of the professional to resolve.

• Toilet Paper.  Although it is okay to flush down toilet paper, too much of it can clog your drains. It can stop your toilet from flushing.  Use a plunger to dissolve the toilet paper if the toilet still flushes.  If not, you will need to call for professional help.

• Roots and Plants – If there are cracks in your underground pipes, they can attract roots and plants to grow. Once inside, they can grow really quickly, causing an obstruction in your water flow. Clearing roots is particularly tricky, so you will need a hire a rooter service.

Effects of Clogged Pipes and Drains

Aside from the obvious inconvenience and discomfort that clogged drains cause, there are other harmful effects that stagnant water can have on your family’s health.  It can also have an adverse effect on your property.

Clogged drains can cause massive damage to your property. Stagnant water that accumulates will eventually emit a noxious musty odor which can up to the surface and spreads around your home.  It is unpleasant and harmful to your health.  Waters that can’t go down the drain may also leak and affect the foundations of your home.  If left alone for a long time, they can weaken your home’s structural integrity.

Moisture may seep into the floorboards or walls, causing discoloration, stains, and eventually warping.  Left unattended, these sections may be prone to flooding and leakages.  Stagnant water can also attract mosquitoes and insects which carry all sorts of germs and diseases.  These areas will be prone to mold and mildew buildup as well.

So, how do you clear these drains?  Do you always need to call your plumber?  Not really. You need to have the right tools for clearing your clogged drains. Here are the three tools you might need to clear a clog yourself:

1.    Spinner Drainer. This Auger Plumbing Snake is affordable yet quite effective in removing clogs. It is perfect for beginner and master plumbers. The handle won’t crack or break on this one.  You can manually spin the cable in and out of your clogged pipes.  It can solve your blockages right away. It has a spiral head and durable housing. 

It has 16 feet cable that can reach the deepest recesses of your pipes and tackle the toughest blockage. The manual handle will allow you to spin the cable. There is a pull trigger to help release and retract the cable. You can use this in your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, drainage pipes, and bathtub.  You can also use it for toilets.  Simply pull the trigger to release and retrieve the cable.

2.    Plastic Drain Snake.  It’s a long flexible cable with a handle on one end. It can be manually operated, and it is great for clearing clogged sinks.  It can be used easily and quickly in your bathroom and the kitchen sink as well as your tubs, dredge pipes, floor drains, and other similar areas.  It can remove clump hair and grime from your pipes. 

It is about 51.6 cm in length, so it can easily reach deep pipes effortlessly.  It is flexible, and it bends easily to clear big blockages.  This tool comes with micro hooks that grab onto filth without damaging your plumbing. You can use it anywhere. It is strong, durable, and it will help you save money. It is the perfect DIY tool for unblocking simple clogs.

3.    Air Pressure Drainage Clog.  This can be used to clear away clogs and wash away clogs in seconds. Take this tool, squeeze the trigger to remove plugs quickly.  This is actually more effective than the traditional plungers and snakes. It is so easy to use.  It uses high pressure compressed air to clear away clogs.

Its 60 cm in length, and it is tough and durable. You can use it again and again to save money. No need to call for professional help. You can use it anywhere, and it is quite useful in pulling hair, tea, coffee, grease, oil, fats, leaves and so on. You can use it in your showers, floor drains, washbasins, bathtubs, kitchen sinks, and toilet. There are adapters for the toilet, fitting, kitchen sink, and bathroom sink.

As a homeowner, you need to be on top of things. This means getting clogs cleared up before they cause real damage to your home and your health.  Once you see that the water is taking forever to go down the drain, you know there is clogged pipe. You don’t want to cause a solid blockage.  It is best to take out the tools and start clearing those pipes.  Make sure to equip your home with the best tools in the market. Even professionals use them. If you can’t fix the problem yourself, make sure to call for professional help immediately. It is best to solve the problem quickly before it causes permanent damage.