Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems homeowners face. Not only are they inconvenient, but they can also lead to costly repairs if not taken care of immediately. Thankfully, there are a few simple and proven steps you can take to prevent clogged drains in your home. Whether it’s regularly cleaning your drains, not pouring grease down them, or avoiding flushing things like paper towels, there are plenty of solutions that can help you keep your drains running smoothly. In this article, we’ll go over five proven ways you can prevent clogged drains in your home. Keep reading to find out more!
When you regularly clean your drains, you can help to avoid clogs and other plumbing issues before they even happen. There are a few different ways you can clean your drains, depending on where they are located. For example, you can use a dowel and baking soda to clean your kitchen sink drain. Use a paper towel to clean bathroom drains and a stopper to unclog tub drains. You can also use a plunger to clear clogs in toilets, sinks, and tubs. And while you’re at it, be sure to clean out your dryer’s lint trap as well. This can prevent lint from clogging your dryer and overflowing into your home’s dryer ductwork. This can lead to a buildup of lint inside your ducts and result in decreased airflow, an increased risk of house fires, and high energy bills. Be sure to also keep your gutters and downspouts clean, as this can also help prevent lint from clogging your home’s dryer ducts.
One of the worst things you can do when it comes to clogged drains is pouring grease down them. Not only is this a bad idea because of the potential mess it can cause, but there’s also a chance it could clog your drains completely. If you’re cooking with grease and need to dispose of it, be sure to put it in a container and throw it away in the trash. And if you’re at a restaurant and have no other option, consider asking for a to-go container to store the grease in. If you do accidentally pour grease down your drain, try pouring boiling water down the drain to help the grease break down. Once the grease has broken down, you can use a drain cleaner to clear out any remaining residue.
Another thing you want to avoid doing when it comes to clogged drains is flushing paper towels and other items down the toilet. Not only do these items not break down like toilet paper, but they can also clog your toilet and lead to costly repairs. If you have a clog in your toilet, don’t attempt to unclog it yourself. Doing so can put you at risk of getting injured and it’s highly likely you won’t be able to break up the clog. If you want to unclog your toilet, call a professional. They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and remedy it much more quicker than you will. And if you’d rather not spend the money on a professional repair, you can try using a plunger.
If you’ve tried all these tips and you’re still experiencing frequent clogs, an additional step you can take is installing a drain guard. Drain guards are mesh or metal screens that fit over your drain to prevent large items from clogging it. They’re fairly easy to install and can help prevent small pieces of food from clogging your drains, as well as hair and other small items. Avoid using chemicals or harsh cleaners to clean your drains because they can cause a buildup and an odour in your drains over time. Additionally, if you have certain plumbing materials in your homes, such as PVC or EPDM, you might want to avoid using drain guards. They can deteriorate these materials, which can cause future issues with your plumbing.
Finally, if you’ve tried all these tips and you’re still experiencing problems with your drains, contact a plumbing service. Plumbing companies offer a number of services, including drain cleaning, drain repair, and sewer repair. They can also check for signs of other plumbing issues, such as leaks or broken pipes, that you might not have noticed, and let you know what repairs you may need to make in the future.
Drain clogs are the most common plumbing problem homeowners face. Thankfully, there are a few simple and proven steps you can take to prevent clogged drains in your home. Whether you regularly clean your drains, avoid pouring grease down them, or use a drain guard, there are plenty of solutions that can help you keep your drains running smoothly. If you follow these tips, you should be able to keep your drains unclogged and running smoothly.
