How To Prevent Clogged Drains - A-Abel Family of Companies

Few household nuisances are as disruptive as a clogged drain. From the slow gurgle of a kitchen sink to standing water in your shower, clogs can disrupt daily routines, create unpleasant odors, and even lead to more serious plumbing problems if left unaddressed.

The good news is that many clogged drains are preventable with a few simple habits and the right knowledge. At A-Abel we’re here to help homeowners understand the common culprits behind clogs, how to prevent them, and when it’s time to call in the professionals.

The Usual Suspects: Common Reasons Drains Clog

Understanding what typically causes for clogs is the first step in preventing them. here are the most frequent offenders we encounter:

In the bathroom:

Hair: Hair strand combine with soap scum and grease, forming stubborn mats that cling to pipe walls.
Soap Scum: The residue from bar soap, shampoos, and conditioners build up on pipe interiors, creating a sticky surface for hair and debris to adhere to.
“Flushable” Wipes: Despite their label, most “flushable” wipes do NOT break down in plumbing systems like toilet paper. They are a leading cause of severe clogs in toilets and main sewer lines.
Dental Floss, Cotton Swabs, Paper Towels: These items are not designed to dissolve in water and will inevitably lead to blockages over time.
Grease & Oils (from face/hair products): Even small amounts of grease from lotions or hair products can solidify in pipes.

Plumbing pipes

In the kitchen:

Grease, Fats, and Oils (FOG): This is the king of kitchen clogs. When hot FOG goes down the drain, it cools and solidifies, coating pipes and trapping food particles. This is far more damaging than most homeowners realize.
Food Scraps: Even with a garbage disposal, large or fibrous food scraps (like coffee ground, eggshells, fruit peels, pasta, rice, potato skins, fibrous vegetables, and especially stringy celery) can accumulate and create blockages.
Coffee Grounds: While seemingly harmless, coffee grounds don’t dissolve can clump together, forming stubborn sludge in pipes.

Tree Roots:

Tree roots are the main cause of sewer backups.
Tree roots enter the main outdoor (underground) sewer piping through the existing piping joints, connections, or separations.
Just because you have roots in your outdoor sewer piping, it doesn’t mean it’s bad or needs to be replaced. It may just need to be cleaned once or twice a year, inspected with a sewer camera or maybe a small spot repair.
Clay Piping
- Most of the “bad” joints and/or separations are found in the clay (terra cotta/vitreous clay) piping that was used from “the begging of time” to the late 1970’s.
- This means that any home built before the early 1980’s is subject to roots in their outdoor sewer piping.
- The average lifespan is 60-70 years.

Tree Root Clog

Proactive Prevention: Keeping Your Drains Clear

A little effort goes a long way in avoiding frustrating clogs.

Be Mindful of What Goes Down the Drain: This is the Golden Rule
- Scrape food scraps into the trash or compost before rinsing plates. Pour cooled grease, fats, and oils into an old container (like a milk carton or jar) and dispose of in the trash, never down the drain.
- Place a drain screen or hair catcher over all shower and tub drains. Regularly clear hair and soap scum from these screens.
Say NO to “Flushable” Wipes: If it’s not toilet paper, it doesn’t belong in the toilet. Period. Dispose of all wipes, dental floss, cotton balls, etc., in a trash can.
Run Hot Water (Occasionally): After using your sink, especially the kitchen sink, run hot water for 30-60 seconds. This can help keep fats and grease from solidifying in your pipes immediately.
Use Your Garbage Disposal Wisely: If you have a disposal, use plenty of cold water while running it. Only put small amounts of soft, biodegradable food scraps down. Avoid bones, fruit pits, fibrous vegetables, coffee grounds, and pasta/rice (which expand).
Regular Drain Flushing: Once a month, try pouring a pot of boiling water down your kitchen drain (unless you have PVC pipes, where very hot water might cause issues – use hot tap water instead). For all drains, a mixture of baking soda (1/2 cup) followed by white vinegar (1/2 cup) can be poured down the drain. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes, then flush with hot water. The creates a fizzing action that can help break down minor buildup. Avoid chemical drain cleaners at they can damage pipes and are highly corrosive.
Schedule Professional Drain Cleaning: Consider an annual or bi-annual professional drain cleaning, especially for main lines or frequently used drains. This proactive measure clears out the accumulating buildup before it becomes a major blockage.

When to Call a Professional to Clear a Clogged Drain

While prevention is key, some clogs are inevitable or too stubborn for DIY remedies. Knowing when to call in the experts at A-Abel save you time, frustration, and potential pipe damage.

Call a professional plumber if you encounter any of these situations:

Persistent Clogs: You’ve tried DIY methods (plunger, baking soda/vinegar) and the clogs keeps coming back, or doesn’t clear at all.
Multiple Clogged Drains: If several drains in your home (a sink, toilet, and shower) are clogged simultaneously, it often indicates a blockage in your main sewer line, which requires specialized equipment to clear.
Slow Drains Throughout the House: Similar to multiple clogs, widespread slow drains suggest a more significant issue with your main drainage system.
Foul Odors: Persistent foul, sewage-like odors coming from drains can signal a blockage in your sewer line or a ventilation problem.
Gurgling Noises: Gurgling sounds from drains or toilets when you use a sink or shower indicate trapped air due to a blockage.
Water Backing Up: If water backs up into an unexpected fixture (flushing the toilet causes water to come up into the shower), it’s a strong sign of a main line clog.
Water Heater Issues: Sometimes a clogged drain can indirectly affect your water heater’s performance.

AO Smith Water Heater

Trust the Experts at A-Abel

Our licensed and experienced technicians at A-Abel are equipped with the latest tools and technology, from drain snakes to hydro-jetting equipment, to quickly and efficiently clear even the toughest clogs. We’ll not only clear the blockage but can also identify the cause and recommend preventative measures to keep your pipes flowing freely.

Don’t let a clogged drain ruin your day. For expert drain cleaning and reliable plumbing services. Trust the professionals who keep the flow going!

FAQ’s:

Should I try a chemical cleaner to clear my drains?
- We strongly advise using chemical drain cleaners. While they offer a temporary fix, they can be highly corrosive, damage your pipes (especially older ones), and create hazardous fumes. They can also make the clog more difficult and dangerous for a professional plumber to clear later. If a plunger doesn’t work, it’s time to call in the experts.
What does it mean if multiple drains in my home are clogged or draining slowly?
- If several drains (like sink, toilet, and shower) are clogged or draining slowly simultaneously, it’s a strong indication of a blockage in your main sewer line. This is a serious issue that needs immediate professional attention, as it can lead to widespread backups.
My drain is making gurgling noises when I use another fixture. What’s happening?
- Gurgling noises often mean there’s trapped air in your plumbing system, usually caused by a partial or significant blockage. This indicates water isn’t flowing freely and a clog is forming or already present, potentially needing intervention.
What kind of equipment do professional plumbers use to clear stubborn clogs?
- Professional plumbers use specialized tools that go far beyond a plunger. This includes powerful drain snakes (augers) that can break through and retrieve stubborn blockages, and advanced hydro-jetting equipment which uses high-pressure water to thoroughly clean the inside of pipes and flush out accumulated debris.