1 in 10 adults needed a plumber in the last year. Over 1 million needed them over 10 times!

One of the most common plumbing problems is a clogged drain. It may seem like a small issue, but leaving it alone to fester into a major problem can be a costly mistake.

Read our guide to learn the most common causes of clogged drains and how to troubleshoot them.

Mineral Buildup

Hard water is full of minerals and is notorious for causing plumbing problems. Mineral deposits can block your drain and be difficult to get out.

Try hydro jetting or installing a water softener. You may also need to hire a professional to descale your pipes.

Oil, Fat, and Food Waste

Putting a small amount of cooking fat or grease down the sink is one of the most common causes of clogged drains. They coat and combine with other substances in your pipes.

Wiping the excess oils off of food can prevent blockages. Avoid putting large items down your sink such as:

• Coffee grounds
• Eggshells
• Rice
• Pasta
• Fibrous fruits and vegetables

Garbage disposals are only meant to handle small bits of food. These items are too large for them to grind up.

Hair and Fur

Humans lose at least 50-100 hairs every day, and pets shed even more. Those hairs build up and cause plumbing clogs.

A drain guard or hair strainer can catch them before they bunch up if you clean it regularly. Plungers and snakes can get remove the clog if it gets stubborn.

Soap

Yes, even soap can create plumbing issues. It’s made of fats and minerals that solidify into soap scum and clog your drain.

Go for a liquid soap made without animal fat and clean any soap scum you see. You can also use a pressure cleaner.

Toilet Paper Buildup

Excessive amounts of toilet paper will clog your drains and keep your toilet from flushing. Quilted paper is even worse.

It can be easier to unclog a drain in this instance. You’ll only need a plunger or toilet auger. Get helps if your toilet fills without draining.

Cotton Products

Anything made of cotton should never go down your drain. A few examples include:

• Wipes
• Cotton swabs
• Diapers
• Feminine hygiene products

They don’t break down easily and absorb liquid. This makes them a perfect combination for creating clogs.

Small Objects

Pets and cats love to throw objects into your drains. They can go down and get lodged in a pipe’s u-bend.

Use a sink guard or drain cover to prevent the issue. Call a professional if the objects get firmly stuck.

Tree Roots

A small crack in a pipe can let a tree root start to come in and grow within a pipe. It causes clogs that can affect more than one pipe or even your entire drainage system.

Try to keep track of where all the trees on your property are. Look for any invasive roots and any plants or leaves you can clean out.

Large roots are an issue best left to the professionals. It’s complicated and costly and may even require excavation.

Where to Get Help for Clogged Drains

Minerals and fats cause clogged drains. They can come from hard water, food waste, or even animal-fat-based soaps.

You may also have objects lodged in the drain. This includes hair, toys, and cotton products. Tree roots are one of the more serious issues and require professional plumbing help.

Pathmaker Plumbing is an experienced company that’s willing to share our knowledge with you. Contact us today for all your plumbing problems.

December 30, 2022

You could save yourself from many expensive plumbing issues just by sticking to certain basics. Unfortunately, most homeowners fail to pay heed to these basics and end up running into huge plumbing bills. Here are five important plumbing mistakes that you should avoid.

1. Ignoring Minor Plumbing Issues

Whenever there should be a minor plumbing issue, give it the attention that it requires. At times, you will be able to fix the issue yourself in just few minutes but at other times, you may have to call a professional plumbing company. Delaying your call to the plumber will only aggravate things leading to unnecessary expenses.

2. Trying To Cut Corners While Hiring Plumbers

Whenever you should hire a plumbing company make sure that you are calling a professional service provider. Do not try to cut corners by calling unqualified plumbers. One of the reasons why people go for such service providers is because they think that they could save a few bucks. However, this could prove to be most expensive mistake that you could make. Imagine losing your insurance and getting into liability issue just because you wanted to save a few dollars. Before you summon any plumber, check their credentials and their license.

3. Failing To Take Winter Precautions

Plumbing companies get more business during and just after the winter. Why? It is simply because homeowners totally ignore the winter precautions that they are supposed to be taking. If you are not sure what are the plumbing precautions that you should be taking during winter you could talk to your local plumbing company to get tips and recommendations. It is also not a bad idea to call your plumber to inspect the entire plumbing system before every winter. If there are no issues, you will be spending only for the visit and if there were any issues, you would have attended to it in a timely fashion before the winter starts and thereby saved your plumbing system from expensive damages.

4. Excessive And Wrong Use Of Drain Cleaners

You need to keep your drains clean but at the same time, if you use excessive drain cleaners then your pipelines will be corroded as drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals to breakdown the dirt and the blockage. You need to be therefore cautious in selecting the right drain cleaners and use them correctly.

5. Choosing Wrong Fittings

In case, you are venturing into your own DIY plumbing repairs, make certain that you are choosing the right fittings. Wrong choice of fittings and size mismatches could result in leakages, which again could prove to be expensive. Rather than running into such issues, it is better that you contact your local plumber who could take care of your plumbing needs.

If you review the above listed most common plumbing mistakes, they could be categorized into two categories namely carelessness and cost cutting efforts. As far as the cost cutting efforts are concerned, you could save a great deal of money by carefully reviewing and selecting the right plumbing companies that offer their services at reasonable fee.

Contact Pathmaker Plumbing for professional plumbing services in Charlotte, NC.

September 14, 2015

Winter is just round the corner and it could prove to be an expensive time of the year when it comes to residential plumbing. You certainly would not want to channel your holiday budget into plumbing expenses. You could save a lot of money on your plumbing repair and plumbing maintenance by taking certain precautionary measures. Here are five important winter plumbing maintenance tips that will help you prevent unnecessary plumbing expenses this winter.

#1 Find a reliable local plumbing contractor for an inspection of your plumbing system.

Many a times homeowners think that calling a plumber for pre-winter inspection as waste of money. However, those who get a plumber for such inspections regularly know how it could save the day for them. Fixing minor plumbing issues prior to winter is important. What might seem to be a minor crack or leakage could prove to be a massive disaster if not taken care in a timely fashion especially during the winter. Therefore, never underestimate the importance of pre-winter plumbing inspection.

#2 Detach the garden hoses from the outdoor faucets.

It is important to detach the garden hoses from the faucets and the connected valves should be shut off. You should also remember to drain the hoses and if you forget, the water remaining in the hosepipe will freeze and it will damage the hose.

#3 Keep your drains clean.

Regular cleaning of your drain pipes is very important. You do not want to clogged pipes and the associated nightmares during winter. If you should notice signs of water clog in your drain pipes or bathtubs do not wait for too long before you call your plumber. Identifying the clogs at the initial stages will keep the plumbing bills low.

#4 Check your insulations.

One of the areas that requires your attention is the insulation of the pipes that carry water. As long as the pipeline that carries water is buried under the ground the water in the pipe retains temperatures that are above the freezing point. However, the pipeline that is above the ground level is exposed to very low temperatures. If the insulation is not effective it will not only affect the efficiency of your heating system but it could lead to further issues such as freezing of the water in the exposed areas and cut off of water supply to the entire house.

#5 Do not postpone any minor plumbing repairs to be made.

If you need to undertake any minor plumbing repairs which you have been postponing all along then you should not postpone it any longer. Get all your plumbing issues fixed before winter however small you might think they are. You just need to make sure that you are calling a credible plumbing contractor in your area to take care of your plumbing issues. It is always best to establish long term association with your local plumber so that they have a better understanding of your home’s plumbing system, which will in turn help them in offering you with faster and effective solutions.

July 20, 2015