Most drain clogs aren't sudden. They build over weeks or months, and the cause usually depends on which drain is affected. Knowing the likely culprit helps you prevent the next one.
Kitchen: fats, oils and grease
Cooking fat is liquid when it goes down the sink and solid once it cools in the pipe. Each layer catches food particles, and eventually the pipe narrows to a trickle. Wiping pans with paper towel before washing them is one of the most effective habits you can build.
Bathroom: hair and soap
Hair binds with soap residue into a dense mat that sits in the trap below your shower or sink. A simple strainer stops most of it.
Toilets: wipes and too much paper
"Flushable" wipes don't break down the way toilet paper does. They snag at joints and collect other debris. The Region of Peel asks residents to put wipes in the garbage.
Main lines: tree roots
Many established Mississauga streets — in Port Credit, Clarkson and Streetsville, for example — have mature trees and older service pipes. Roots seek moisture and can enter through small gaps at pipe joints.
Everywhere: hard water scale
Peel's water is moderately hard. Over time mineral deposits roughen pipe interiors, which gives other debris more to grip.
When to get help
If a drain keeps clogging, or several drains slow down together, it's time for professional drain cleaning. Multiple fixtures at once often points to the main sewer line.