A Plumber Can Help If You Have A Clogged Drain In Your Home

At some point in your life you are bound to fall victim to a clogged drain. Every house relies on its drainage system to carry away sewage, but at some point along the line it's bound to stop working. Even the newest of plumbing systems are susceptible to drainage problems, so it's important to know what to do in case something goes awry. So let's unravel the mystery of the modern age- what causes household drains to stop working and what can be done to fix the problem?

The most common type of drainage problem is caused by a clog in the pipe. Pipes are designed to keep water and debris flowing smoothly out of your house but they are not immune to problems. A clog is caused by materials gathering along the inside of your pipes until water flow is stopped completely. Clogging is a gradual process, and you may begin to develop what is called a slow drain. A slow drain is not completely blocked, but you may notice that water takes longer than usual to leave your sink or tub.

Clogs are caused by different factors, usually including the state of your pipes and what you put down them. New pipes are smooth on the inside so that drainage can flow freely into the sewer system. Over time, materials begin to gather on the inside and decrease the space inside of the pipe. If you have an older house, this can often be caused by rust forming inside of the pipe. As older houses were often built with drainage systems made of iron, rust will inevitably occur and provides a surface that is much easier to stick to than smooth iron. A plumber can help clear the rust and grime from an older pipe, and you will often want him to replace the part with a newer material if possible.

Still, even new houses with pipes made of PVC or copper can gather unwanted build up under your sink or tub. Materials such as oils or waxes have a tendency to stick to the insides of piping. Anything that does not flow as quickly as water tends to cause problems; over time it can build a layer on the pipe that is easier for other materials like food particles, paper products, or hair to stick to. In general, you'll want to keep anything that's hard to clean out of your drain and have a plumber clear out the pipes when things start to back up. Using drain cleaners can provide a temporary fix, but a clean start from a plumber and more discretion about what goes into your sink can help keep things flowing.

Clogged drains can be frustrating so it's important to remember that they occur no matter how conscientious you are about what goes into your sink. Still, a good plumber and some good practices can help reduce the time between problems. Keep your plumber's number handy and think twice before you pour something gooey down the drain- your pipes will appreciate it!