When summer vacations come to an end and the fall season starts, people begin to spend more hours in their homes. The cooler weather inspires extra time in the kitchen as hearty soups, oven-roasted dishes, and fried foods become an irresistible match for the chilly weather and shorter days. Trees prepping for winter redirect their above-ground growth to their root systems, getting ready for dormancy. And all these factors can lead to a major inconvenience for homeowners—clogged drains.
The good news is with the right preparation and knowledge you can prevent many of the most common causes of drain clogs. With more than 30 years serving Santa Barbara and Ventura County homeowners with their plumbing needs of every scale, Rooters Solution is here to be your clogged-drain guide.
Let’s go over the common habits and issues clogging your plumbing system and how to prevent them. And don’t worry—despite your best efforts, sometimes a clogged drain is out of your control. If you find yourself in this situation, contact Rooters Solutions Santa Barbara for residential plumbing services. We offer free estimates and 24/7 emergency service!
The Most Common Drain-Clogging Culprits
We see a lot of drain-cleaning business in the fall! Here are some of the most common culprits:
Hair & Soap Buildup
As people spend more time in their homes, they often take more showers and baths. Hair and soap residue can accumulate in your bathroom drains, leading to clogs.
Prevent a Shower Drain Clog Before It Starts
Keep these tips in mind and you can significantly reduce your chances of a hair and soap clog in your drain:
Use Drain Covers or Hair Catchers
Install mesh screens, drain covers, or hair catchers over your bathroom drains. These devices catch hair and debris before they enter the plumbing, significantly reducing the risk of clogs. Make sure to clean them regularly to maintain proper drainage!
Switch to Liquid Soap
If you use bar soap, consider switching to liquid soap. Bar soaps can leave behind more soap scum that contributes to clogs. Liquid soaps usually create less residue and are less likely to build up in pipes.
Brush Hair Before Showering
Before taking a shower, brush your hair to remove loose strands. This simple step can prevent hair from washing down the drain and accumulating over time.
Regularly Flush Drains
Periodically flush your drains with hot water to help dissolve soap scum and prevent buildup.
Kitchen Culprits
Food Waste: Fall often brings gatherings and cooking, which can result in more food waste being disposed of down the kitchen sink. Even with a garbage disposal, large food particles can lead to clogs.
Grease, Fat, and Oil: As cooking increases, especially the heavier foods we crave in the winter, grease and fat often get washed down kitchen sinks. These substances can solidify in pipes and cause blockages.
Prevent a Kitchen Clog Before It Starts
Follow this advice to prevent food and grease waste from becoming a major plumbing issue:
Don’t Pour Grease and Oil Down the Drain
Never get rid of cooking oils, fats, or grease in your sink! Allow them to cool and solidify in a container before throwing them in the trash. This prevents them from sticking to the inside of pipes and forming clogs.
Use a Drain Strainer
Install a mesh drain strainer or basket in your kitchen sink to catch food scraps and stop them from entering the drain.
Scrape Food Scraps into the Trash
Before rinsing dishes, scrape off any leftover food into the trash instead of rinsing it down the drain. This will reduce the amount of food waste that can accumulate in your plumbing.
Don’t Overuse Your Garbage Disposal
If you have a garbage disposal, avoid putting problematic items down it, such as fibrous vegetables (like celery), starchy foods (like pasta and rice), and hard items (like bones). Only use it for small amounts of food waste. It’s also important to run cold water while using the disposal to help flush food particles down the drain.
Flush Drains with Hot Water
Regularly pour hot water down your kitchen sink to help dissolve any grease or fat that may have accumulated. Doing this once a week can help keep pipes clear.
Regular Maintenance
Schedule regular plumbing inspections or maintenance to catch potential issues before they become serious problems. This can help identify any buildup or weaknesses in your plumbing system.
Tree Roots
Many trees prepare for winter by focusing their growth on their root system in preparation for dormancy. As roots grow and seek moisture, they can invade sewer lines, especially in older homes. This can lead to significant blockages in your plumbing system if you don’t address it promptly.
Prevent Tree Invasion Before It Starts
Consider taking these steps to reduce your chances of more costly plumbing work from tree root invasion:
Don’t Plant Trees Near Pipes
Be mindful of where you plant trees and large shrubs. It’s best to keep them at least 10-15 feet away from any sewer lines or underground pipes to minimize the risk of root intrusion.
Regular Inspections
Schedule regular plumbing inspections, especially if you have had issues with tree roots before. Professional plumbers, like those at Rooter Solutions SB, are equipped with camera technology to assess the condition of your sewer lines and identify any potential problems early.
Use Hydro Jetting
If you have existing root issues, hydro jetting is a highly effective way to clear roots and debris out of your pipes. It uses high-pressure water to help restore proper flow and reduce the risk of future clogs.
Flushable Wipes & Hygiene Products
Along with all the coziness and holiday fun that autumn brings comes one dreaded thing—cold and flu season. As families battle runny noses and frequent bathroom visits, they often end up flushing more wipes and hygiene products down their drains, leading to clogs.
Prevent The Clog Before It Starts
Don’t let a few dollars of non-biodegradable products lead to a hundred-dollar problem:
Never Flush Non-Biodegradable Items
Make sure everyone in your household knows that only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet. Items like “flushable” wipes, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, and paper towels should only be disposed of in the trash.
Keep an Eye on Your Plumbing
Look out for any signs of slow drainage or backups—these can be signs of a clog forming. Make sure to address these issues quickly before they escalate.
Regular Drain Maintenance
Schedule regular drain cleaning to remove buildup that may lead to clogs. This helps guarantee that any small amounts of debris that do make it into your plumbing don’t end up accumulating over time.
Keep Your Drains Flowing This Fall
When the crisp fall air settles in, don’t let clogged drains become an unwelcome guest in your home. At Rooter Solutions SB, we understand that plumbing issues can be a major disruption to your comfort and convenience. With 30+ years of experience serving Santa Barbara and Ventura County, our team is committed to providing reliable, high-quality plumbing services.
Whether you need powerful hydro jetting for a tree root invader in your sewer or prompt assistance with a stubborn drain issue, we’re here to help. Contact Rooter Solutions SB today for a free estimate or to schedule an appointment. Let us keep your plumbing running smoothly, so you can focus on enjoying the season.
Trusted Plumbing Experts in Santa Barbara & Ventura County
Rooter Solutions SB is the reliable plumbing company Santa Barbara and Ventura County have counted on for over 30 years. We offer affordable, professional plumbing services to home and business owners, including drain cleaning, hydro jetting, water heater repair and installation, and more. Contact us today at (805) 567-7019 to schedule your free estimate, plumbing inspection, or repair!
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