3 Common Causes of Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are not only a real annoyance, they can also have adverse effects on your maintenance expenses. The truth is that whether a drain is mildly or severely clogged, it is preventable and the first step to prevent it is by knowing its cause. Below are some of the common causes of clogged drains and the steps you can take to prevent them.

1. Soap

You may be wondering how soap can cause clogs in your pipes. Traditionally, one of the ingredients of soap is fat or grease. These ingredients combine with the minerals in water, resulting in a soap scrum that clogs pipes. In order to prevent your drains from being clogged by soap, it is important to regularly clean your bathrooms, toilets, and sinks as the cleaning aids in the removal of soap traces. Alternatively, you can switch to soap free washes altogether.

2. Hair

Hair is a major cause of drain clogs because it can easily bind with grease, resulting in a pretty significant hair ball blocking your drains. You can prevent drain clogs caused by hair by ensuring all drains within your household have guards to catch any hair. Also, regular cleaning of your bathroom and shower walls helps in preventing blockages caused by hair.

3. Mineral Build Up

Insoluble masses can result from dissolution of minerals in hard water and this can easily clog your drains. Regularly removing and descaling sediment build up can help prevent these clogs. You can also prevent build up by setting up a water softener in your house if hard water is a consistent problem in your area.

Prevention of Future Clogs

The different causes of clogs can be difficult to remove once established. Keep your drains and pipes clear and healthy with Brian Wear Plumbing’s ENDURE Drain Line Maintainer. ENDURE is a non-toxic cleaner that will keep your drains free-flowing without harming your pipes, family, or the environment.

For more information regarding ENDURE or any of our other plumbing services, or for help with any of your plumbing needs, contact us today at Brian Wear Plumbing for friendly, reliable service.

Is Your Water Heater Wasting Energy? Signs It’s Time for an Upgrade

Brian Wear Plumbing
May 20, 2026

Your water heater works hard. In the average American home, it's the second largest energy user, accounting for nearly 18% of your utility bill. It runs silently in the background, ensuring you have hot showers, clean dishes, and sanitized laundry. But because it's often tucked away in a basement or utility closet, it's easy to ignore until it stops working or your energy bills start climbing inexplicably.

Water Damage Assessment: How Professionals Evaluate Your Columbia Property

Brian Wear Plumbing
May 6, 2026

When water invades your home, the immediate visible damage is often just the tip of the iceberg. A burst pipe might leave a puddle on the floor, but where else did that water go? Did it seep behind the baseboards? Has it wicked up into the drywall? Is it pooling in the subfloor? These are questions that a quick glance cannot answer.

Clean Water vs. Gray Water vs. Black Water: Understanding Damage Categories – Restoration

Brian Wear Plumbing
April 22, 2026

When you discover water damage in your home, your first instinct is to clean it up as fast as possible. But not all water is the same. The source of the water intrusion determines its level of contamination, and this is the most critical factor in how you should approach the cleanup process. The restoration industry classifies water damage into three distinct categories: clean water, gray water, and black water.