Every time you run the tap, you leave a microscopic film of these minerals behind. Over time, as water evaporates or drips slowly down the pipe, those minerals don't leave. They bond together.

That is because those chemicals are designed to dissolve organic matter (hair and grease). They are largely ineffective against inorganic minerals. In fact, the heat generated by chemical cleaners can sometimes fuse the crystals harder, making the clog worse. Do not call a plumber yet. If you are dealing with hard water crystals, you need to switch from chemical warfare to chemical dissolution .

We all know the usual suspects of a slow-draining bathroom sink: a tangled wad of hair, a glob of toothpaste, or that little plastic cap from the face wash that fell in last Tuesday.

But there is a silent, sneaky culprit hiding in your pipes that doesn't look like gunk at all. It looks like .