Clogged drains are among the main problems homeowners deal with. They can occur anywhere in the home drainage system, whether it carries water or waste. Some start as minor issues, but if left unchecked, they could lead to more severe problems that require costly repair.

In addition to the blockage being an inconvenience, it could also result in some health issues in your family. Some primary causes of a clogged drain include:

Hair

Human hair, pet fur, and other stringy things like dental floss are the number one causes of clogged drains in many homes. This happens mainly in the shower, bathtub, bathroom sink, or laundry rooms. When you wash your hair or shave in the bathroom, a small amount of the hair goes down the drain.

While it may look small, buildup over time will cause clogs, especially when it combines with other things like mineral buildup and grease.

You can use a drain guard to ensure hair does not go down the drain. Also, avoid rinsing hair down your drain after shaving. You can also plunge your drain often or use a drain cleaner occasionally.

Mineral buildup

Mineral build ups happen when the minerals in hard water build up on the sides of the pipes and create an insoluble mass. You can prevent that by installing a water softener in your home. Alternatively, you can call professionals regularly to descale your pipes.

Grease

Like hair clogs, a little grease going down the drain does not sound severe enough. While it will take time for the grease and oil to accumulate and block your pipes, grease clogs are among the most severe ones. This usually happens in pipes and drains leading away from the kitchen when you wash fatty and greasy things in the sink.

You can prevent this by not washing off greasy and oily dishes or pouring grease and oil remnants down the sink. You can also add grease traps to your drain system or flush your drain with a mixture of hot water and detergent often.

Plants

If you have plants around your home, their roots can find their way into your drainage system by growing through the pipes. If this happens, you will need professional tree removers to remove the root from your pipe.

To avoid this, look at your drainage system and ensure you don’t plant anything with big roots around it.

Toiletries

When used moderately, toilet paper rarely causes clogs. However, when used in large amounts, toilet paper, especially quilted ones, can cause drain clogs. Other toiletries that can cause clogs include wipes and napkins.

To prevent this, use moderate tissue paper per toilet flush. If the clog has already happened, but water can still move through, use a plunger to shift and move the toilet paper.

Clogged drains are among the most costly repairs you will experience as a homeowner, especially if left unattended for long. However, you can reduce the cost by using a home warranty plan to get the necessary repairs should you have a clog caused by normal wear and tear.