Bathroom Drain Clogs Are Common Problems

Virtually everyone has experienced a clogged bathroom sink drain. Sometimes, it’s the shower drain that’s clogged, and you only notice it as your shower slowly turns into a shallow bathtub. It could be just a hair clog, but sometimes the shower drain can be clogged with no hair involved.

Any clogged drain is your cue to grab a bottle of chemical drain opener, right? Not necessarily. If you’re experiencing shower or bathroom sink drain clogs, harsh chemicals might get the job done in the short term. However, If you’re experiencing drain clogs frequently, you might be putting a Bandaid on the symptoms of a larger issue.

Five Major Causes of Bathroom Drain Clogs + Do’s & Don’ts

Bathroom shower drain clogs and sink drain clogs are most often caused by the usual suspects. Hair loss can’t be helped, however, other causes of clogs can be prevented by altering human behavior or performing regular preventive maintenance.

  1. Human hair, pet hair, natural oils, soap, and product residue combine to create a disgusting mass of stubborn goo that clogs bathroom sink drains and shower drains. These are the toughest clogs to break through. Snake drain traps regularly to remove hair before it builds into a clog.
  2. Grooming products like makeup wipes, tissues, cotton balls, Q-Tips, etc., being flushed down the toilet can cause temporary clogs you might be able to clear with a plunger, but they’ll eventually cause bigger problems. Don’t flush these items, throw them in the trash! Wastewater pipes for the sink, shower, tub, and toilet converge to flow into the main sewer line. Blockages can form further away from the bathroom sink and shower drains, and cause clogging.
  3. Personal hygiene products like dental floss, baby wipes, toilet wipes, diapers, tampons, and other sanitary items should never be flushed as they’ll cause clogs all over your house, not just the toilet or bathroom drains. Eventually, improper disposal of these items can cause main sewer line blockages that will affect the drainage inside your home. 
  4. Hard water buildup. The high concentration of calcium and magnesium minerals in Phoenix water leave a jagged, limescale residue along pipes over time where debris gets caught. As the residue and debris build up, it reduces water volume to levels where leaks and clogs will become routine.
  5. Old pipes with cracks and leaks.  If you live in an older home, the plumbing system has likely seen better days. Tree roots and aging pipes can also cause bathroom sinks and shower drains to clog. Hydro jetting or repiping may be the answer. 

 

What to Expect From a Plumber Cleaning Your Drains

It can be tempting to want to handle clogged sink or shower drains on your own. Still, the many necessary steps to diagnose the issue and then fix it require specific equipment and techniques to ensure that the cleaning process is performed correctly. Without the right tools for the job, you may end up making the problem worse. That’s where Donley Service Center, the Phoenix drain cleaning services professionals, come in. With the right tools and know-how, our drain cleaning experts can find and dissolve clogs in no time at all, so your drains run clean with no more blockages or unpleasant smells.

What to Do After the Plumber Visits

Did you know that plumbing systems need regular maintenance just like your HVAC system? To keep bathroom sinks, showers, and other drains flowing freely and to protect the value of your home, we recommend having your pipes professionally cleaned every 18-24 months.

The next time you need your drains cleaned, remember to look for a company that will get the job done right instead of going at it on your own. Call Donley Service Center about drain cleaning services and drain repair.