A hair-clogged drain is one of the most common plumbing problems you’ll encounter in your bathroom. But hair-clogged drains aren’t just irritating. They can cause problems for your drainage and plumbing system that could cost you hundreds of dollars in repairs down the road. Read on to know why and how how to prevent hair from clogging drain.
What Hair Does to Your Drain Pipes
Hair on the drains isn’t just unsightly and icky. When hair is allowed to flow down the drain and into the pipes, it doesn’t flow out as water does. Hair tends to clump up as it makes its way down your plumbing pipes, getting bigger and bigger as it accumulates soap scum, grime, and other debris. After some time, this clump becomes bigger and more solid. It also begins to interfere with the flow of water through your pipes.
You may notice your drains not clearing up as fast as they used to. You may also notice a backflow of water coming from your drains as you shower. If you notice that water starts to fill up in the shower while you are using it, this could be because your drain is totally stuck and no longer draining out.
Prevent Hair from Clogging Your Drains
The good thing about hair is that you can prevent it from going down your drain pipes in the first place. Hair is just a simple mechanical obstruction, after all, and clearing hair is as simple as picking it up from the floor or the drain screens.
If you don’t have a drain screen or hair catcher covering your drains, go out and get one. Drain screens or hair catchers are simple coverings made of metal mesh or wire that you can place on the mouth of the drain. They are cheap and very easy to remove and empty out. It’s a good practice to empty your drain screens after every shower use just to ensure that your drain screens work well and don’t cause blockages from the mouth of the drain.
Clearing Hair Out of Your Drains and Pipes
Over time, your pipes will still accumulate blobs of hair, gunk, and other debris that need to be taken out. You can use simple tools around the house to clean up the drain and pipes, like a plunger or even a pair of tweezers. A plunger can loosen the glob of hair and debris, making it easier to pull out. If the bundle of hair and gunk is near the mouth of the drain, you can use a drain snake or a pair of tweezers to loosen it up and fish it out.
You can also use boiling water, vinegar, and baking soda to agitate that clump of hair inside. The bubbles produced can help loosen the gunk making it easier to flush down with water.
Another option is to pour bleach down the drain. Bleach is strong enough to break down hair and other organic matter. Let the bleach stay in the pipes overnight and flush with warm water the next day. Hopefully, a couple of hours soaked in bleach is enough to break hair gunk down so that it freely flows through your pipes.
Why Call A Professional Plumber?
If you have done all of the above and your drains are still not draining, it is time to call the professionals. Your professional plumber can remove any clogs caused by clumped-up hair and other gunk.
Drain Snake Or Water Jet
Your plumber can use a drain snake or a water jet to remove these blockages in a matter of minutes. A professional drain snake is an auger attached to a metal cord that can rotate through the pipes and drill through any clogged hairs and debris. Water jets are thin water hoses that can spray a high-pressure stream of water through clogged pipes. The good thing about these pressure jets is that they can remove both clogs and accumulated layers of gunk coating your pipes for a complete clean.
Why DIY Clog Repairs Don’t Always Work
Even if you have a simple clog problem, calling the pros may be a better option than any DIY job you can do. Flushing baking soda or bleach down your drain can damage weak or plastic pipes, for example. Baking soda can also accumulate in your pipes over time, causing clogs that only a professional can remove.
If your drain is not draining and the clog is located deep in your pipes, you may need to have your pipes opened up to remove the clog. Your plumber may need to remove your tiles to access the pipes to do this. Avoid doing complicated repairs yourself. You may end up damaging your pipes and plumbing, especially if you don’t have the tools or the skills needed to do a professional pipe job. Problems like these need the right tools, skills, and time, so it is always better to call the pros. Otherwise, you could end up with damaged plumbing, no drainage, and a more expensive repair job.
Regular Drain Cleanings
Better yet, schedule regular drain cleanings with your plumber to ensure that your drains stay clean and clog-free all year round. Professional plumbers use industry-grade pipe cleaning solutions that dissolve accumulated gunk from pipes. Once all that gunk and hair are dissolved, they’re easier to flush out. Not only will this ensure that your drain flows freely, regular maintenance also prolongs the life of your pipes.
Conclusion
Clogged drains can be a hassle and can wreak havoc on a typical busy day. Solve drain problems right away by calling the pros. Whether you need a hairball flushed out or you have clogged pipes that need to be replaced, the pros have the tools and skills needed to get your drains in good working order in no time.
Call Robinson Plumbing today to schedule your appointment and keep your drains clog-free.
Call Robinson Plumbing For Superior Plumbing Services
Contact Robinson Plumbing, one of the most trusted plumbing companies in the Lehigh Valley, for reliable plumbing services. We offer various plumbing services ranging from drain clogs, water heater replacements, toilet repairs, water leaks, and more. We always give a wide range of solutions when possible for any plumbing repairs. This allows you to choose the best options for your home and budget.
Find yourself dealing with an unexpected plumbing problem in the middle of the night? No worries! You can count on the expert plumbers at Robinson Plumbing to take care of you. We offer reliable 24-hour emergency plumbing services. You can count on us to get the job done quickly and correctly and, best of all, at an affordable price.
We proudly offer the most affordable and best plumbing services in the Lehigh Valley area. Our plumbers all have the proper licenses and expertise to ensure your satisfaction. All of our work comes with a guarantee. Contact Robinson Plumbing today and schedule your free estimate.
Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!