Just the other night, I was hanging out at a friend’s BBQ by the outdoor fireplace, enjoying the cool spring evening. A guest popped a question about the most common plumbing emergency calls we get. It made me think, as folks usually want the horror stories or the weirdest things I’ve come across. But then, it hit me: clogged drains.

You know, it’s pretty even between overflowing toilets and clogged kitchen sinks over the years. Sometimes, the causes for both overlap, which points to a bigger issue affecting the entire drainage system. Let me explain. When someone calls about all their toilets and their kitchen sink draining slow or not at all, it typically signals a major problem with the main sewer line, like tree roots intruding, a sag in the pipe, or a total collapse. Thankfully, these severe cases are rarer than the standard clogs.

Similarities Between Toilet And Sink Clogs.

Most clogged toilets and sinks become a plumbing emergency due to things that shouldn’t be flushed or washed down the drain getting stuck. For toilets, the usual suspects are items like feminine hygiene products, so-called “flushable” wipes, and cat litter. Despite what the packaging claims, these items don’t break down well. Most folks will deny these could be the culprit, but more often than not, they are. We’ve got various tools to tackle these clogs, including cameras to see how deep and what kind of blockage we’re dealing with, which really helps in choosing the right tool for the job.

Kids’ toys are another frequent cause of toilet clogs. Toddlers seem to find toilets fascinating and love testing whether their toys can handle a trip down the vortex. Some toys make it through, others don’t, and a few might even necessitate replacing the whole toilet!

Switching to kitchen sinks, the garbage disposal units, or garburators, are usually to blame. They often get jammed up with things like carrot peels or potato skins, which shouldn’t go down there in the first place. Grease is another major issue. Over time, it builds up inside the pipes, attracting bits of food and soap, which eventually form a blockage. More on blockages here.

Prevention: A bit of Knowledge and Some Common Sense.

Our BBQ chat eventually shifted to prevention. It’s simpler than you might think. For toilets, the rule of thumb is, if it doesn’t dissolve quickly in water, don’t flush it. Even if a product says “flushable,” it’s safer to toss it in the trash. Keeping counters clear of small objects and closing the bathroom door can prevent a lot of accidents. And for kitchens, avoid letting anything indigestible go down the drain. If you must dispose of grease in the sink, use cold water to help it solidify and move along the pipes more easily.

Overall, a bit of prevention and some common sense can save a lot of headaches with plumbing emergencies. Need help? We are available 24/7.

Read more on the history and journey of Ace Plumbing and the Professor of Plumbing.