All About Clogs

Clogs are one of the most common plumbing problems that a homeowner is likely to experience. These plumbing issues may seem like minor concerns, but while some clogs can be solved on your own, others require the attention of your professional drain cleaning service. Understanding the causes and signs of clogs in the home is the first step toward maintaining a healthy and functional drainage system. If you do spot the symptoms of a serious clog, knowing when to call in your professional plumber will prevent a clog from causing serious damage and daily disruption.

Common Causes of Clogs

Clogs are a common plumbing problem because they may arise under a variety of circumstances. In most cases, clogs are the result of buildup inside your drains, which blocks the flow of water through the pipe. This buildup may result from food debris, including grease and fat, or soap scum, hair, and other debris associated with bathing or showering. Limescale left behind by minerals in your water can also facilitate the formation of clogs, while tree roots that grow into your sewer line as they search for water can form a “living clog” that blocks drainage through the pipe. Because clogs form inside pipes and drains that are hidden from sight, it can be difficult to diagnose the exact cause of the clog without the right tools. Regardless of the cause, a clog will cause the water to drain slowly through the affected pipe; when a clog blocks the drainage route completely, you may experience backups that cause sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets to overflow.

How to Handle Clogs

The easiest and most effective way to handle clogs in the home is to prevent them. In most cases, taking care to use your disposal and drains properly will significantly reduce your risk of a clog. However, clogs can sometimes form even under normal usage conditions, as hair, soap scum, grease, and limescale build up in your drains. As soon as you notice a toilet, tub, shower, or sink draining slowly, it’s time to take action. The best way to handle a clog on your own is using a plunger to attempt to break up the clog so it can flow through your pipes. Although drain cleaning chemicals are easy to purchase and use, they can cause serious and lasting damage to your plumbing, and thus aren’t a good solution for any clog. If plunging the problematic drain doesn’t produce results, it’s time to call in your plumber for professional drain cleaning service. Your plumber can inspect the drain via a camera system to identify the location and cause of the clog, then use solutions such as snaking or hydro-jetting to eliminate debris and buildup from your pipes to restore their function without causing damage.

Our 24-hour plumbers serving Las Vegas have the tools and the experience needed to identify and address clogs and their causes quickly and completely. If you think you may have a clog at home, don’t wait—you can reach us via our website to schedule professional drain cleaning service. You can also find out more about clogs and other common home plumbing concerns when you check out our easy-to-navigate archive of past blog articles.