How You Might Be Causing Repeated Clogs

If your bathtub or kitchen sink repeatedly clogs up during the week, you might be the reason for it. Although plumbing pipes and drains can take a beating from everyday use, the fixtures can eventually clog up with human hair, pet hair, and meat fat or skin. Over time, clogs can form deep within your plumbing pipes and damage them.

02.17.2018

If your bathtub or kitchen sink repeatedly clogs up during the week, you might be the reason for it. Although plumbing pipes and drains can take a beating from everyday use, the fixtures can eventually clog up with human hair, pet hair, and meat fat or skin. Over time, clogs can form deep within your plumbing pipes and damage them.

Here are two things you may do that can inadvertently clog up your bathtub and kitchen drains.

Bathing your dog or cat regularly is one of the best ways to keep them and their fur clean and healthy. But if you bathe your beloved pet in the bathtub, you could inadvertently cause problems for your plumbing system. The pet dander, dirt, and hair from your pet can build up inside the drain and clog it.

Like human dead skin cells and hair, pet dander and fur can build up along the entrance of your bathtub drain. The chemicals and byproducts from the shampoos and cleansers can also stick to the fur and form a thick residue. As water enters the drain, it pushes the residue further down the tub's pipe. Eventually, a clog forms.

Water can back up into the tub when you bathe or shower and become stagnant. Stagnant water can attract dangerous pathogens that can endanger your health, including bacteria and drain flies. The water can also create a foul odor that permeates the bathroom.

You can prevent issues with your bathtub drain by bathing your pet outdoors. But if you choose to bathe your pet in the bathtub, cover the drain with a hair catcher. Also, use shampoo or cleanser made with natural or biodegradable ingredients. You want to keep the drain as clear and clean as possible.

If clogs occur in your kitchen sink instead of the bathtub, take a look at how you prepare your meat.

If you tend to wash your poultry, steaks, and other meat products in your kitchen sink, stop. These food items contain natural byproducts, such as fats, oils, and grease (FOG). FOG is one of the most common reasons kitchen sink drains clog up today.

FOG can take some time to break down once it enters your plumbing system. In most cases, the fat and grease sticks to the inner lining of your kitchen sink drain and rot. As with stagnant water, the fat and grease can attract germs and insects that use them as food. You might notice a foul odor seeping out of the drain as the germs and insects feed.

You can try to remove the clog yourself by using a plunger or residential auger. However, you want to be cautious if you choose to clear the drain yourself. If you use the wrong type of auger or plunging technique, you can accidentally push the mass deeper into the pipe. If the clog travels to your main sewer line, it can be disastrous.

If your main sewer line breaks open or collapses because of a deep clog, it can release contaminated water into the soil. Some of the wastewater can escape to the surface of your yard, or it can backtrack into your home. Wastewater contains harmful pathogens that can spread disease to humans.

Instead of tackling your sink drain yourself, contact a professional plumber. A plumber can inspect the drain to see if it has any other issues, such as rust, leaks, or cracks. These imperfections can lead to significant damage in your kitchen if they allow the pipe to burst open.

If you need immediate help with your bathtub or kitchen sink drain, contact us at O'Fallon Sewer Service for an appointment.

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