Is your sink water slowly draining? Does your shower drain keep collecting debris? The products you use everyday might be causing more damage than your realize to your plumbing. Even something as innocuous as soap could be creating buildup that attracts mildew and mold (and not to mention, causes pesky clogs).

Take a look at some of the most sneaky drain clogging culprits. The good news? Many of these clog-inducing items can be resolved by a quick, professional drain cleaning. Don’t wait until drain build-up turns into a massive clog. Schedule a drain cleaning today!

Sink Running water

Soap Scum

When the minerals in hard water react with the fatty acids in soap, they create lime soap (a filmy build-up that some refer to as soap scum). Scum builds up over time, attracting mildew and mold. The scum is a nuisance because it can clog your drain. It’s even potentially unhealthy because it hosts bacteria growth. Soap scum can be a problem in the kitchen sink, but it tends to be more common in the shower or bath.

Shampoos, Shower Gels, & Bath Salts

Sticky films from shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel can build up along the sides of plumbing pipes, narrowing the opening and making it more difficult for the shower to drain. The same goes for oils, which congeal (solidify) when cold and lead to clogs. Lastly, partially undissolved pieces of bath bombs and bath salts can get caught in your drain. In some cases, bath bombs with undissolved pieces like confetti and glitter can impact the functionality of whirlpool baths and hot tubs, getting caught in the jets and damaging sensitive components.

Hair and Hair Shavings

Think a few stray hairs in the shower aren’t causing plumbing trouble? Think again. Hair accumulates quickly, especially if your tub doesn’t have a wire mesh hair stopper.  Your long locks can easily accumulate while showering or even grooming and shaving directly over a sink. If you live in a home where multiple people share one bathroom, this accumulation happens even quicker. Drain plugs will help reduce the amount of hair making its way into drains, which can cut back on troublesome clogs.

Cooking Byproducts

Your daily food prep might be taking a toll on your kitchen sink drains. Pay attention to these Kitchen sink clogging culprits:

  • Cooking oil, grease, or fat
  • Poultry skins (turkey, chicken)
  • Starchy peels, grains and pasta (potato peels, rice)
  • Stringy vegetables (celery, citrus fruits)
  • Fibrous material (coffee grinds, corn husks)

How to Treat Clogs

Before you reach for liquid drain cleaners – which are often acidic and damaging to disposal lines – try a few chemical-free cleaning tips. Snaking a drain is the most effective solution to clearing a clog. It is also recommended that you. Pour boiling water down your kitchen drain twice a month. This helps break down food waste. A combination of baking soda and hot water can add more oomph to your drain-clearing efforts.

If persistent clogs are throwing a wrench in your daily schedule, it may be time for a drain inspection. Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to help get rid clogs once and for all.