Drain cleaning is necessary to keep your drains clog-free, odor-free, and fully functional. While you may not neglect drain cleaning intentionally, failure to maintain your drains can result in drain issues. Below are tips to help you keep up with your drain cleaning routine:
Avoid Pouring Grease Down the Drain
Cooking grease quickly solidifies when poured down the drain, forming a layer on the sides of the pipes. The layers of oil accumulate, preventing water from flowing through the drain effectively, and may eventually block the drain.
Many homeowners may assume pouring hot water down the drain can melt grease, preventing clogs. This method is impractical because the melted grease may solidify further down the drain and clog the pipes again. Instead of pouring cooking grease down the drain, pour it into a bottle and toss it into the trash.
Add Protective Screens Over Drains
As you shower or wash your hands, hair, pieces of soap, and dirt or debris may find their way down the drains and cause clogs. Drain screens are a simple and affordable solution for preventing drain clogs. A protective screen over your shower or sink drain can catch debris, preventing it from going down the drain. Clear accumulated debris on your drain screen every few days to allow water to flow freely.
Clean and Deodorize Your Drains
Clean your drains with baking soda and vinegar if they have an unpleasant smell. Pour some baking soda down the drain, followed by vinegar. This natural cleaning solution loosens particles clogging your drain. Pour hot water down your drain after using the baking soda and vinegar to wash away the loose particles. Repeat this process regularly to keep your drains fresh.
Baking soda and vinegar work best with small particles. If you have large clogs, use a plunger to loosen them before flushing them away with hot water. You can also use professional drain cleaning services to remove large blockages.
Keep Larger Items Away From Your Drains
Avoid flushing hair, paper towels, medication, or flushable wipes down the toilet. Unlike toilet paper, these substances do not break down easily. They might accumulate over time, causing a clog. You also want to throw eggshells, coffee grinds, and fruit peels into the garbage bin rather than your garbage disposal. Your garbage disposal may be unable to grind these substances, leaving large pieces that cause drain blockages.
Avoid washing your pet in the bathtub or shower, and if there is no other alternative, place a washcloth or screen over your drain to avoid clogging the drains with pet fur. Brush your hair before you take a bath or shower to remove loose hair that may clog the shower drains.
Monitor Water Flow
Sometimes clogs accumulate in your drain pipes without you noticing and become more apparent when they cause drainage issues. Pay attention to the speed at which water drains in your sinks and showers to detect developing blockages in the pipes. If your drains take longer to drain water, pour hot water down the drain to dislodge the clog. You can use a plunger or drain snake to remove larger drain blockages.
Invest in Professional Drain Cleaning Services
Professional drain inspections and cleanings are necessary to identify issues that may go unnoticed. Professionals have the tools and knowledge to thoroughly inspect your drains and identify potential issues before they worsen. Professional drain cleaners also have tools to clean different drains, including sewer lines, sinks, toilets, garbage disposal drains, and basement drain pipes. Most drain cleaners also offer plumbing services and may do the following as they clean your drains:
- Repair or replace cracked pipes
- Restore old pipes with new pipe lining
- Repair or replace damaged sump pumps
- Replace damaged pipe fittings
Keep Your Drains Clog-free
Regular drain cleaning and maintenance are necessary to prevent blockages that may compromise your drains’ functionality. Preventing clogs using a drain screen and keeping substances that may cause clogs away from your drains may lessen your work when cleaning your drains. Use natural solutions like baking soda and vinegar when doing your own drain cleaning to avoid damaging your drain pipes with chemical cleaners. Have professional plumbers inspect and clean your drains periodically to remove any debris you may not reach on your own.
