How Homeowners Can Prevent A Clogged Sink

Tips for Keeping Your Sink Clog-Free!

Most homeowners have dealt with a clogged sink before. From a small clog that causes the water to drain much more slowly to a larger clog that stops the flow of water entirely, clogged sinks can be an expensive, annoying endeavor. Learning about why those clogs happen and how they can be prevented can help any homeowner stop a clog in its tracks. 

What Exactly Is a Home Sink?

Although they don’t get a lot of attention, the sinks in the home are one of the most important parts of the plumbing system. They are the gateway from the household into the pipes and are often an important part of everyone’s daily rituals. 

Sinks in the home connect directly with the pipes, and most have some sort of sink trap (or P trap) that prevents gases from the sewer from coming up and entering into the home. Unfortunately, these traps can also lead to clogged sinks without proper care and maintenance. 

What Causes a Clogged Sink?

Clogged sinks happen. Knowing some of the more common factors that can lead to a clogged sink is one of the keys to preventing a clog from starting. Here are some of the more typical reasons clogs occur.

• Clogged sinks in the kitchen are usually a result of the inappropriate disposal of food. While some of the more obviously inappropriate things to rinse down a kitchen sink are less likely to occur (think: chicken bones), many people don’t often realize that clogs can happen due to build-up of the less known objects. In a lot of cases, coffee grounds, discarded bacon fat or other liquid greases, and larger chunks of leftover food simply build up over time and are the culprit behind a clogged sink.
• Clogged sinks in the bathroom tend to be more related to hair and household hygiene products. In most cases, these clogs don’t happen out of nowhere. They are the result of a gradual slowing of the pipes due to these products continuing to add up in the plumbing system. 

A lot of homeowners try to treat clogged sinks themselves with corrosive chemicals. This is not recommended, as it can cause more harm to the pipes. Always contact a plumber if a clogged sink is suspected. 

How Can Clogged Sinks Be Prevented?

Preventing a clogged sink starts with knowledge of the reason they clog to begin with. Armed with that important information, homeowners can be more vigilant about their prevention techniques. 

For kitchen sinks, homeowners can educate everyone living in the household about what can and can’t be rinsed down them. This is especially important for a home with children, as many issues can be prevented by just giving them the necessary information they need. 

Bathroom sinks are slightly different. For households that include people who have longer hair, making sure that they know the risks of letting their hair rinse down the bathroom sink is key. It might also be a good idea to invest in soap that leaves less of a residue. Mesh screens can also be used to catch hair.

About Rooter MD Plumbing LLC

NATE Certified Rooter MD Plumbing LLC is located in Livonia, Michigan. Their team of trusted plumbing, heating, and cooling technicians offer 24-hour emergency services and routine care for your plumbing system. Rooter MD Plumbing LLC also offers a membership service with discounts on maintenance and bi-annual system checks included.

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