Common causes of clogged drains: hair, grease

Clogs in household drains are a daily nuisance that can often be prevented with a few targeted habits. Here are the most common culprits and how they form.

1) Hair and soap scum — In bathrooms, hair tangled with soap scum gradually binds to the sides of pipes, narrowing the passage and eventually blocking water flow. Regularly removing hair from stoppers and using a drain screen can dramatically reduce this issue.

2) Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) — In kitchen sinks, fats and oils congeal as they cool, sticking to pipe walls and trapping food particles. Pouring grease into a container and disposing of it in the trash, not the drain, is a key preventive step.

3) Food particles and insoluble waste — Post-meal scraps, coffee grounds, and starchy residues can accumulate in drains over time. Use a strainer, compost where possible, and avoid disposing solids via the sink.