Are you noticing the water in your sinks is draining too slowly, or that your toilet frequently overflows? You may be experiencing a clog in your drains and pipes. If so, this is not something you want to wait to fix. At Cooke’s Plumbing, we have seen a minor problem turn into a horror story very quickly, as these issues often result in costly damages. Foul odors and slow drainage won’t be your only problem either. Clogged drains and pipes can also lead to plumbing leaks, water contamination, and structural damage to the foundation of your home. Don’t forget the health risks associated with clogged drains and blocked pipes. Your drains could be carrying bacteria, mold, and even insects that carry disease.
We’ve seen a lot of drain problems in Port St. Lucie, and in Stuart, FL, and we know that the best way to prevent these problems is to understand what causes them. Here are the six most common causes of drain clogs.
Hair
Hair can build up over time and slow down the water flow in your pipes. Even worse, hair binds with other substances in your drains, such as grease and grime, and completely blocks your drain. We’ve seen this happen many times, and hair still remains a common cause of clogged drains in Port St. Lucie, Stuart, and across South Florida. The best way to keep hair from clogging your drain is to buy drain screens/guards which catch hair and makes removal easy.
Food
Drains can’t handle pieces of food, not even small pieces, so never throw your food down a sink. Even if you have a garbage disposal, you should avoid throwing food out this way. Garbage disposals don’t get rid of the food entirely, but instead, pulverize it into little bits that travel through your pipes and will eventually accumulate with time. You should never throw oil or grease down the sink, as it can build up and cause blockage, as well. Throw the leftover bits of food away in a compost pile and throw your oil and grease outside. Alternatively, you can absorb the oil and grease with a paper towel and throw it into your compost.
Flushable Wipes
Most wipes that are labeled “flushable” shouldn’t actually be flushed, but rather placed in the trash bin. The makers of these“flushable” products claim that these wipes are flushable because they can fit in your toilet drain, but the particles don’t disintegrate. Accumulation can then lead to a clogged toilet.
This is also the case for feminine hygiene products, which often find their way down the toilet drain. Toilets are only designed for biodegradable toilet paper. Certain toilet papers (and too much toilet paper) can also clog your drains. In most cases, you can use a plunger to fix this problem. But if you flush your toilet and it fills without draining, then you’ll need a professional plumber, like Cooke’s Plumbing and Septic Services. We have seen many similar clogged pipes inPort St. Lucie.
Loose Objects
Loose, tiny objects, like small pieces of soap, floss, and earrings can also find their way into your drain. You can resolve this by keeping your sinks clear of small objects that cause troubles down the road. Or you can use a drain guard to prevent everything but the essentials from going down your sink drains.
Tree Roots
If you live in a wooded, forested area or in an old home, you are more likely to experience tree roots blocking your sewer lines. This is a common occurrence because tree roots are naturally drawn to our pipes (it provides trees with water and other nutrients). Once new roots start to grow, they’ll only get bigger if left alone. Make sure your pipes are in good shape, as tree roots get in through cracks and other loose areas.
Cooke’s Plumbing Can Fix Your Clogged Drains in Port St. Lucie
If you want to protect the plumbing in your home, business, or both, the tips we mentioned above will help! However, if the problem has already occurred, then you need the services of a reliable plumber in Port St. Lucie.
Cooke’s Plumbing & Septic Services has served the residents of Stuart, FL for over 50 years and we can help you! We’ll be able to resolve your drain problems in Port St. Lucie, Stuart, and the surrounding areas. We also offer 24/7 emergency service because we know plumbing issues don’t only happening during business hours. If you would like to speak to someone about your clogged drains, then contact us here (https://www.callcookes.com/contact-us/) or give us a call at 772-878-7444.