A sink, shower, or tub that drains slowly or is completely backed up is a sign of clogged pipes. Over time, a variety of soap residue, food particles, hair, and even bacteria can build up inside pipes, ultimately leading to blockages.

At Aqueduct Plumbing Company, we know that dealing with slow or clogged drains and pipes can be frustrating and even unsanitary, but there are a few steps you can take to help prevent this issue from occurring in the future.

1. Avoid rinsing off food particles from dishes in your sink.

Although it can be convenient to use your sink as a means for disposing of small food particles when you’re cleaning your dishes, those same particles can end up inside your pipes and eventually create a blockage. Even small pieces of food, like grains of rice, chopped onions, and vegetable peels can accumulate and lead to big problems in the future. Always scrape food off your dishes and silverware into your trash before rinsing your dishes in your sink or placing them in your dishwasher.

2. Place hair catchers on your bathtub and shower drains.

Bathtub and shower drains can quickly become clogged due to a mixture of hair, soap residue, and calcium deposits. While it can be difficult to eliminate soap residue and calcium deposits from building up in your drains and pipes, it’s easy to cut down on loose hair—just install hair catchers in your bathtubs and showers. These small protective devices prevent hair from entering your drains, and they’re also easily cleaned between baths and showers.

3. Get to the “root” of the problem by removing pipe-damaging trees, shrubs, and other plants.

Trees have root systems that can spread throughout your yard and even breach the pipes that lead into your home. When a tree or plant’s root system first enters a pipe, it may not cause major issues. But over time, the root system will grow until it eventually blocks the flow of waste water and waste materials. If the problem goes unaddressed for a long period of time, the roots can even cause the pipes to burst or collapse. When roots threaten your pipes, using root killers or cutting down trees or plants may be required to prevent future clogs and pipe damage.

How We Can Help

Although following the steps above can help reduce the chances that your pipes will become clogged, it can be difficult for many homeowners and business owners to completely prevent the problem from occurring or reoccurring.

If you’re experiencing trouble with the pipes and drains in your home or business, Aqueduct Plumbing Company can help. We have the skills, equipment, and experience to quickly and effectively isolate the blockage, repair any damage, and replace worn out pipes and drains. Don’t let your slow drains be a headache.