Clogged drains are a common plumbing issue that often take several years to get to the point where you need professional attention. Over time, sludge forms from things like hair, cooking grease, paper products, food particles and other items, and eventually water and waste can no longer get through. This is when it’s time to call for professional drain cleaning services and get your drains opened up and flowing freely.

Why Is My Drain Clogged?

Clogged drains can happen for a handful of reasons, many of them preventable. The usual suspects include food particles, cooking grease, hair, small pieces of soap, excess toilet paper or paper towel, and feminine hygiene products. In some cases, children will become curious and send small toys and similar items into your plumbing system, causing clogs. If you are able to limit these kinds of items from getting into your drains, you’ll also be able to limit the number of drain clogs in your home.

Outside the house, tree roots are a common cause of clogged drains. As the root systems spread out, they are constantly seeking water, and quite often that water is inside your underground pipes. As the roots crowd your pipes, they can grow into small cracks and cause serious blockages.

Common Signs of a Clogged Drain

On the obvious side, water not emptying into drains or coming up in nearby drains are signs you need professional drain cleaning. Less obvious signs include gurgling sounds, drains that empty slower than normal or unpleasant odors around kitchen and bathroom drains. If you notice these signs, it’s a good idea to call the experts at Ross Plumbing to come out to perform the drain cleaning you need.

Keep Chemicals Out of Your Drains

Household drain clogs will always bring out the DIY’ers among us, and while using a plunger is a great way to loosen a mild clog, pouring copious amounts of chemicals into your drain is not. Common drain cleaning chemicals may provide some relief in the short term, but they won’t eliminate the problem, and they might damage your pipes. If you’re unsure, make the call for professional drain cleaning service.