Watching the water slowly drain from your sinks or tubs is likely to be more of a frustrating activity than a Zen-like one. If your drains are slow, chances are good there’s a blockage somewhere in the line. Drain clogs are more than just a nuisance; they can be a real cause for concern, depending on the problem’s cause. Here are three common reasons why your drains could be blocked.
Food and Grime
When it comes to clogged drains, the most common culprits are food and grime. This can be particularly true if you use a garburator. Even if your garbage disposal does a great job of pulverizing food, the waste is still is pretty thick as it goes through the drains. Along the way, pulverized food meets up with grease, hair, and other debris that’s trapped inside. Eventually, the gunk creates a blockage.
Sewage Backups
Whether you have a septic tank or municipal sewer services, raw sewage can get trapped inside your drains. Once a small clog develops, the rest of the sewage will have a tough time getting through the drain. Over time, your drains fill with waste that hasn’t cleared the pipe. When that happens, you’ll experience more than just slow, sluggish drains. Raw sewage will begin backing up into tubs and around your toilets.
Tree Roots
If you have mature trees surrounding your property, roots might impede or puncture your drains, especially if the area is experiencing drought conditions. If your trees aren’t getting moisture they’ll start sending tap roots out to find a new water source. Unfortunately, that source may be your underground drains. Roots can gain access to your drains through minor cracks. Once inside, they’ll continue to grow until they cause a serious blockage, or worse. If left alone, they can cause drains to collapse.
If you’ve got drain problems or clogs, call Plumbing Authority Inc., as soon as possible at (647) 992-7473. You’ll be glad you did (and so will your drains).