A clogged drain can be a frustrating problem to deal with. This home plumbing issue is usually unsightly, may cause bad smells and pose serious risks to your health. Although a professional plumber can help fix the problem, prevention is always better than cure. As a homeowner, there are certain steps you can take to prevent drain clogs. These preventative measures will go a long way in improving the lifespan of your plumbing system. But how exactly can you keep your drains clog-free?
Here are some tips to help you.
Clean Drains Regularly with Enzyme Treatments
Cleaning your drains regularly is a simple but effective way to prevent clogs. Even when there are no signs that your drains are blocked, try to clean them every month. Be sure to use safe enzyme treatments rather than chemical drain cleaners.
Compared to chemical drain cleaners, enzyme treatments are safer, non-corrosive and more environmentally friendly. Enzymatic drain cleaners use bacteria or enzymes that feed on the organic waste in your pipes. This helps to break down and disperse blockages, effectively keeping your drains clear.
Avoid Putting Certain Things Down the Drain
To keep your drains clear, limit what you put in them. Do not flush food scraps down your kitchen sink. Similarly, avoid placing items such as eggshells, coffee grounds, vegetable peels, paper products as well as meat and bones in your garbage disposal.
To prevent clogs, never pour grease into your kitchen drains. Instead, pour the grease into a sealable container for future reuse or trash disposal. When it comes to your bathroom, make sure you keep hair and soap scum out of the drains.
Run Hot Water Through Drains Regularly
Hot water is a great clog preventative. To keep your drains flowing smoothly, consider running hot water down your drains after each use. For the drains that you do not use frequently, run hot water on a weekly basis.
Rinsing your drains with hot water will help wash down any leftover food debris, scum and buildup that may end up blocking the pipes. This will also go a long way in making your future regular drain cleanings easier and quicker.
Use Drain Screens or Mesh Strainers
An easy and inexpensive way to maintain clog-free drains is to place drain screens or mesh strainers over your drains. When installed over drain openings, these items will separate solids from liquids. That way, they prevent food particles, hair, scum and other debris from entering the drains and causing clogs.
To ensure optimum performance and prevent odors, clean the traps regularly. Simply remove the strainers, toss the solid in the trash can and clean the strainers before putting them back.
Invest in a Plunger and an Auger
Even with proper preventative steps, clogs may still happen. Someone may accidentally drop a foreign object down the drain or flush too much toilet paper or hygiene products. To ensure you are prepared if you get a clog, consider buying a plunger and drain snake, and learn how to use them. That way, you will be able to fix any issues before they become bigger. Handling small clogs by yourself will not only help to keep your drains clean and clear but also save you money.
Teach All Household Members the Importance of Maintaining Your Drain System
Keeping drains clean and unclogged requires collective effort. This is why you should ensure your family members understand the importance of keeping your drains clear as well as the effects of misusing them. Lastly, teach them some good habits that will help to keep your drain system in working order.
Maffei Services Can Help Your Regular or Frequent Drain Clogs
Are you experiencing regular or frequent drain clogs? Our professional plumbers at Maffei Services can help. We are a home services business located in Rowley, MA, and we serve Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Contact us today to learn more or visit our website to schedule drain cleaning.
