There are several common causes that can lead to the creation of clogs in your in-house plumbing.
Things like soap scum, dirt and hair can accumulate in your drains over time and eventually cause clogs. This is more common in bathroom sinks and tubs, where these things will make their way into your drains on a daily basis. Accumulation occurs slowly in small increments, making it easy to miss. While problems in and of themselves, dirt, hair and soap scum often combine to cause triple the build-up. The more build-up occurs, the more restricted the diameter of your pipes will become, leading to slow drainage, backups and blockage.
In your kitchen sink, pouring leftover grease, oil or fat down your drain can lead to blockage, as they will quickly solidify and stick to the inside of your pipes. While this solidification happens quickly, it may take a while before you notice any buildup depending on the amount. Solid food waste can also clog your kitchen sink both instantaneously or over time, though the former is more likely. While your garbage disposal takes care of it for the most part, too much food at the same time can cause it to jam. Additionally, certain foods may get past the garbage disposal only to accumulate further into your pipes.
With toilets, flushing anything besides human waste and toilet paper can lead to clogs. Regardless, people often flush things they shouldn’t, such as diapers, non-flushable wipes, hygiene products, trash and small solid objects. Additionally, while it’s okay to flush toilet paper, it can still cause clogging if you try to flush too much of it at once.
The drain hose on your washing machine may also be prone to clogging. Lint, bits of fabric, trash left in pants pockets and even the occasional small item of clothing can make its way into your hose and cause some major issues.
If your home’s water is hard, mineral buildup may occur over time, which can lead to reduced water flow and back-ups. Offset pipes can also lead to clogging, as well as a myriad of other issues for your home’s plumbing. Both of these issues require slightly more intricate fixes and will likely require a professional.