Sinks, Tubs, And Toilets: Why Do They Clog?
The best way for you to avoid clogs in your home's plumbing system is to have a clear understanding of what it is that causes those clogs in the first place. If you find yourself with a clogged drain, a plumber like Bevills Plumbing Heating & A/C will be able to help! The information you will read below will help you to have a better understanding of how clogs are created so you can treat your plumbing in a way that isn't going to contribute to them:
Why do sinks clog?
Your kitchen sink will clog when things like lard, oil, and food pieces go down the pipes and become lodged in them. Sometimes when food goes down them you will get lucky and they will be small enough to make it all the way down the system. However, larger pieces can cause major issues.
Also, lard or oil will run down the sides of the pipes when it is put down the drain and as it cools down on its way through the pipes it will cling to the sides of them. It then acts like a paste that captures and holds on to food that follows. This leads to clogs as well which will require the immediate help of a plumber.
Your bathroom sinks can clog when things like toothpaste and small pieces of soap go down the drain and get stuck to the sides of the pipes or in the p-trap under the sink. If toothpaste clings to the sides of the pipes and then things like whiskers and hair are also added to the mix then this causes clogs as well.
Why do bathtubs clog?
Bathtubs generally clog due to small pieces of soap and hair getting stuck to the middle or bottom part of the stopper. If you find that you have a lot of trouble with your tub due to this, then a good solution is to take the stopper out and replace it with a bathtub drain screen.
In order to keep the water in the tub for your bath, you can switch to using one of those round rubber drain covers you put over the drain and remove when you are done. When the screen is full, you simply dump it in the trash.
Why do toilets clog?
Toilets generally clog because someone puts something down them that shouldn't be put down them. Instead of listing things that shouldn't get put down a toilet it's much easier to simply state that the only things that should go down them is human excrement, urine and toilet paper. However, sometimes too large of a bowel movement or too much toilet paper can also cause the toilet to clog.
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