1. Plant Growth
It may seem far-fetched, but you could have started your own plumbing garden and been completely unaware of it. When you eat organic vegetables like tomatoes or use a lot of sunflower seeds, there are rare occasions, where the seeds stick to the sides of your pipe and will sprout a plant.
In several weeks, you could see a small plant sprout up out of the drain pipe and cause a clog. Some plant roots grow extremely fast and the roots can exert a lot of extra pressure on pipes, causing possible cracks or leaks.
If you notice any sort of plant growth in your plumbing, you will need a plumber to complete an inspection. If the roots have connected to specific pipes, you do not want to yank the plant out and create a major leak or drainage issue.
A plumber can properly remove the plant and find the cause of the plant's growth. Often, pipe slime or grease gives an easy way for plants to grow. Once you identify the plant, you can determine the source it came from and try to prevent the plant's growth in the future.
2. Rodents
Mice and rats can squeeze through anything in a hunt for food, including drain pipes. Small debris you wash down the drain could be considered a big feast for a rodent and they will have no problems getting into your plumbing for a snack. Unfortunately, not every rodent can navigate its way out of a drainpipe.
The area may become too slick and a rodent gets trapped inside and eventually dies. A dead rodent will soak up water and can cause a major blockage in the drain pipes if the creature does not get washed away.
When a rodent is found clogged in the drain, a plumber has multiple removal options. First, a camera inspection can find the exact spot of the location. In some cases, the pipes could have multiple rodents depending on how big a home infestation is.
Next, a plumber can snake the rodent out with a professional plumber's snake or push the rodent through the drain pipes using a professional water jet. Once the rodent reaches the septic tank it will naturally deteriorate and the clog will be gone.
While modern pipes can handle the travels of a rodent, older and worn pipes could have damage from rodent scratching or chewing. A full inspection will determine if any other pipe damage has occurred.
3. Old Pipe Materials
If your home has gone through any major plumbing remodels, then the transition process could create possible clogs in your plumbing. For example, many older pipes are blocked off with cement if the pipe cannot be easily removed.
Over time, the cement pieces may break apart and go into your new drain system. The large stones can easily mix with other materials like toilet paper to create a big clog. If the piping issues persist, a plumber can recipe areas so the older pipes are no longer a part of the system.
A new system will have an easy and clear drainage path to help prevent any problems in the future.
4. Former Homeowner Items
If someone else lived in your home before you, you could suffer from a blast from the past when some of the items they previously flushed come back to haunt you. Not all clogs can occur instantly when items are flushed or forced down the drain.
For example, if the former homeowners had children, toys or stuffed animals could have been flushed down the drains. The items may move slowly through the pipes over time and eventually create an angle that causes a big clog. Other examples include cat litter, food debris, and random objects.
A plumber can remove pipes and help get rid of major clogs in the home. A septic tank may have items that cause clogs as well. When items do not break up in a septic tank, the tank could leak or create major problems. A plumber can drain the septic tank to eliminate the items and start fresh. You do not want old issues causing major problems or costs in the future.
Get all the plumbing help you need with our services at Michigan Plumbing. We will help solve all of your plumbing needs with our care and expertise. Contact us if you suspect any plumbing problems before the problems get worse.
