If you use the sink, shower, bathtub, and toilet, you might think clogs are inevitable, but they don’t have to be. If you want to prevent those problems, here are some tips to keep your drains flowing freely and prolong your plumbing system’s lifespan.
Keep Non-Liquid Items Away From the Drains
Water and watery solutions like milk, soda, and juice are the only safe things to pour down the drain. Food, grease, oil, hair, hygiene products, flushable wipes, and foreign objects clog the pipes. Depending on the item, dispose of it in the wastebasket, keep it in a container, or store it far from open drains. If you have a garbage disposal, chop your food into chunks before pushing them into the unit.
Add a Strainer or Stopper Inside the Drain
A sink strainer or stopper is the barrier between the sink and drainpipe. It covers the drain hole and catches objects. Water and other liquids will pass through its mesh holes. Meanwhile, pop-ups or built-in stoppers block non-liquid objects. Water goes through a small opening, and gunk sticks to the stopper lining. Empty the gunk from the sink strainer and stopper in the waste bin.
Invest in a Plunger
A plunger shifts clogs before they become immovable. Signs of a clog are slow-moving drains, foul odors, gurgling sounds, and backups. There are plungers specifically for sinks and toilets. Have separate plungers for the kitchen sink and the bathroom to avoid cross-contamination.
Flush Your Pipes With Hot Water
Flushing your pipes with hot or boiling water cuts through grease, fat, oil, soap, hair, and other debris to clear the drain of clogs. For sinks, bathtubs, and showers, turn on the hot water faucet and let it run for one minute. Be sure to run the cold water faucet for at least a minute afterward to cool the pipes. For toilets, pour boiling water into the bowl slowly before you flush. An alternative for the sink is to fill it with hot water and remove the drain stopper to let it drain.
Don’t Use Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners are unsafe solutions to break up clogs. These liquids may seem like an easy fix, but the harsh ingredients erode drain pipes. They weaken the durable construction until water seeps out. The water drips cause damage, mold, and rot inside the plumbing cabinet. These chemicals also give off toxic vapors that are unsafe to breathe.
It’s never the right time to discover a clog, but once you call us, it won’t be an issue anymore. A plumber will arrive at your door to inspect the plumbing system and use the latest technology and expertise to unclog the pipes. Routine maintenance with us will keep them clear. For more information on drain cleaning services, contact us at Drain Surgeon in Augusta, GA.
