3
Appliances That Could Cause Drain Problems
Clogged
drains can be caused by a number of things, including tree roots and
the use of toilets to flush more than they were designed to handle.
Additionally, did you know that sometimes your appliances can cause
problems in your plumbing system as well? This is often because of
the debris carried down the drains by the wastewater your appliances
produce.
Here
are three appliances that can sometimes cause drain problems.
1.
Washing Machine
Your
washing machine spends its time removing dirt, sweat and grease from
clothes. During the process, tiny particles of fabric also come
loose. All these things get swept down the drain with each washing
machine cycle.
Your
washing machine can either cause or exacerbate sewer line problems.
The fabric particles that go down the drain can build up over time,
especially with the help of any grease flushed out of the washing
machine along with the wastewater. This can eventually form a clog,
which can be costly to repair.
2.
Garbage Disposal
Kitchen
drains are one of the most common spots for clogs. If you routinely
put food down a garbage disposal in the kitchen sink, you may have
even higher chances of a clog. The disposal itself may become blocked
up, or ground-up food may collect and jam up the drain beyond the
disposal.
You
can minimize the chances that the disposal will clog your drain by
using it carefully and taking good care of it. Remember the
following:
- Run the disposal
only according to the manufacturer's recommendations
- Don't use chemical
drain cleaners
- Don't try to clean
or sharpen the disposal using cleaning hacks you find on the
internet (such as by grinding up eggshells)
If
you have a continuous feed style of garbage disposal, you'll also
need to run cold water through the disposal whenever it's switched
on.
3.
Dishwasher
Your
dishwasher may sometimes start acting like it's clogged because the
garbage disposal has clogged the sink drain line. However, the
dishwasher itself can cause or experience clogs as well. In some
cases, the dishwasher may refuse to drain because it's clogged up at
the filter basket, which can keep water from flowing into the drain
at all.
In
other scenarios, the dishwasher's drain hose or some other part of
the drain in your plumbing system could be blocked up. For example,
one part of the dishwasher drain that commonly becomes clogged with
gunk and food particles is the air gap. But these food particles can
also cause problems further down the line if they congeal into a
clog.
Other
Problems
These
three appliances can increase your quality of life and everyday
convenience, but make sure to keep an eye on them to ensure that
they're not clogging your drains. Keep in mind, however, that not
every problem exhibited by your appliances is directly caused by your
appliances.
For
example, a sewer line clog could cause water to back up into the
washing machine, but that doesn't necessarily mean the washing
machine caused the problem. Or, in other cases, you could have a
partial drain clog already that catches the debris and food particles
from your washing machine and dishwasher to form a thicker, more
restricting clog.
Some
home maintenance projects are great for DIY, but drain problems often
require professional help. If you suspect you have a clog in your
drains, this can be a serious issue that you shouldn't ignore. Clogs
can disrupt your daily life by making drains unusable, and can even
cause expensive damage if water starts backing up into your home.
For
professional help with drain and sewer line diagnosis and repairs,
call Equisure
Inspectors today.
We can help with plumbing maintenance and diagnosis as well as the
replacements of pipes, drains, and plumbing fixtures.
